By Canadian Press

A look at key events in the triple-murder investigation of Derek Saretzky

Jun 28, 2017 | 10:45 AM

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Derek Saretzky was found guilty Wednesday in the killing of a father, a toddler and a senior in southwestern Alberta. A jury convicted the 24-year-old of three counts of first-degree murder in the September 2015 deaths of Terry Blanchette, Blanchette’s two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and 69-year-old Hanne Meketech.

Here is a look at key events in the triple-murder investigation:

Sept. 9, 2015 — The body of 69-year-old Hanne Meketech is found in her mobile home in Coleman, Alta. She has been bludgeoned and stabbed to death.

Sept. 14, 2015 — Early in the morning Terry Blanchette, 27, is attacked while asleep in his home in nearby Blairmore, Alta. He is beaten and stabbed to death. His two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette is abducted from her crib.

11:12 a.m. — Crowsnest Pass RCMP receive a call from Bill Blanchette, reporting his son’s death. They find no sign of Hailey. Police canvass the neighbourhood looking for her. Information from neighbours suggests the child was taken at 3:30 a.m.

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2:14 p.m. — An Amber Alert is issued in Alberta. The RCMP are contacted by the child’s mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, who does not have Hailey.

3:15 p.m. — The Amber Alert is extended to British Columbia, Montana, and Saskatchewan.

5:30 p.m. — Police hold a news conference and confirm Blanchette has been killed and his death is believed to be a homicide.

Sept. 15, 2015  — RCMP continue looking for Hailey. They arrive at Derek Saretzky’s apartment which is attached to the dry cleaning service owned by his father. They do a search but don’t find the little girl. Larry Saretzky speaks to his son who tells him some disturbing information. He tells police to talk to his son. Derek Saretzky later confesses to both murders saying “the devil made me turn her into ashes.” Saretzky later goes with officers and re-enacts her killing at a firepit near Blairmore. RCMP inform a crowd gathered for candlelight vigil in Blairmore that investigators have discovered human remains. The Amber Alert for Hailey is cancelled.

Sept. 16, 2015 — RCMP charge Saretzky with first-degree murder in the homicides of Blanchette and Hailey. Saretzky also faces one count of indignity to a human body in relation to Hailey’s death.

Sept. 23, 2015 — Saretzky makes his first court appearance in Lethbridge. A 30-day psychiatric assessment is ordered to see if he is fit to stand trial. An additional 30-days is ordered when he appears again in late October.

Nov. 26, 2015 — Saretzky is deemed fit to stand trial.

Mar. 2, 2016 — Saretzky confesses to the murder of Hanne Meketech. He tells the officer it was a spur-of-the-moment thing and that he chose her because he didn’t think anyone would miss her.

April 20, 2016 — RCMP charge Saretzky with Meketech’s death.

April 29, 2016 — The Crown decides to proceed directly to trial.

May 8, 2017 — Saretzky pleads not guilty to all charges.

June 7, 2017 — Jury trial begins for Saretzky in Lethbridge.

June 28, 2017 — The jury finds Saretzky guilty on all charges.

The Canadian Press