One week later, details still sparse in Esterhazy-area killing

It’s been one week since a man was found dead and a woman found hurt in a home about 20 minutes south of Esterhazy and Stockholm, and there’s still very little information about what happened.

There was some information put out initially, then a bit more on Sunday and Monday, but since then no other details have been released by police.

“Investigations take time to complete,” explained RCMP Saskatchewan spokesperson Mandy Maier.

“It’s important for the public to understand this because when I say this investigation is ongoing – you know, whether an incident is targeted or random, any motivational considerations et cetera – it’s important to remember that all these pieces are part of a larger investigative puzzle and what the investigators are trying to determine.”

The Mounties could release the man’s name if they felt it would help the investigation, but have decided not to in this case. They also won’t say whether the man owned the home or land where he was found.

Maier said the police wouldn’t be sharing anything more about the woman who was hurt.

“I’m not going to provide further information with regards to her. I can tell you that she was released from hospital and she was at the residence at the time the incident occurred,” said Maier.

Maier did say there were three guns stolen from the home, as well as a significant amount of ammunition. She also said police had determined the suspects arrived in one vehicle and then left in that vehicle after stealing the homeowners’ vehicle and burning it on a nearby grid road.

But Maier said there was no more information to share about the suspects and the RCMP was relying on the public for help in that regard. The Mounties are asking for any tips, no matter how small.

“We don’t have further descriptors of the suspect vehicle right now and that’s what we’re working to get more information from the public, to help further that investigational piece,” said Maier.

Among the most important information for some in the area is whether the murder was random or a targeted attack. Maier didn’t give an answer to that question either, saying it would be part of the investigation. Maier did say the RCMP is encouraging people to be vigilant.

What we do know

The RCMP said initially that officers had been called last Friday at about 4 a.m.; the people were found by officers and the woman was taken to hospital. The Mounties said three men had broken into the home and stolen the homeowner’s truck, which was found on fire on a nearby grid road. At least one gun had been stolen from the home.

Later that day, police said the man had been shot.

On Sunday afternoon, the RCMP released sketches and descriptions of the three suspects.

Then on Monday, the RCMP released a few more details, saying the man was 34 years old and was a resident of the RM of Fertile Belt, and that the woman had been released from hospital.