"I don't want to be here, but I have to see it through," said McIntosh, who moved to Mexico shortly after her son Colton's death in 2008.
The murder-suicide that resulted in Colton's death ended what had been an acrimonious 18-month custody battle between McIntosh and Saunders.
But the emotional journey toward next week's fatality inquiry in Drumheller has been far more arduous, McIntosh said.
"I don't want to be here, but I have to see it through," said McIntosh, who moved to Mexico shortly after her son Colton's death in 2008.
A fatality inquiry into Colton's death is scheduled to begin in Drumheller next week, and McIntosh is hopeful it will provoke change and raise the profile of domestic abuse.
McIntosh said she repeatedly warned the local RCMP about Saunders' intimidating behaviour and potential for violence, to no avail.
"I felt this was a very preventable death. I wanted to work within the law to prevent this from happening again," McIntosh said.
