Greg Fertuck guilty of first-degree murder in death of ex wife Sheree

Greg Fertuck has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2015 death of his ex wife Sheree. He’s also been convicted of a second charge of offering an indignity to human remains.

The trial began in 2021 and was marked by numerous delays, including a lengthy process to determine the admissibility of admissions Fertuck made to undercover police officers who were posing as members of a criminal organization in a type of police deception known as a Mr. Big sting.

The statements, including an admission Fertuck made in 2019 that he’d shot and killed Sheree at the gravel pit where she worked, were ultimately admitted to the trial.

In addition to the statements he made to undercover officers, a spot of Sheree’s blood was found inside the tailgate of Fertuck’s truck, and two spent .22-calibre casings were found by police at the gravel pit.

Justice Richard Danyliuk delivered his verdict to a packed, standing room only courtroom, filled with RCMP officers, media, family members and court observers.

Danyliuk told the court Fertuck’s marriage to Sheree was marked by violence, threats and arguments — but that Sheree was a disciplined worker, responsible and close to her children.

A file photo of Sheree Fertuck.

For her to literally disappear “off the face of the earth” was unbelievable; she had no substance abuse issues, and she was financially stable – both personally and professionally.

Fertuck on the other hand, was a misogynist who thought women were inferior and should obey him. Comments made during the Mr. Big sting operation were called “rude and disgusting” by Danyliuk.

The 70-year-old also had a history of solving problems with violence which fit with how he killed Sheree. He even described how Fertuck played out the murder to undercover RCMP in a detailed, methodical manner.

Danyliuk said even if killing Sheree was a “Plan B,” Fertuck arrived to the gravel pit where she worked on the morning of Dec. 7, 2015 with a loaded rifle, industrial grade plastic in the back of his vehicle, and gloves that he used when he pulled the trigger.

“I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that you killed her,” Danyliuk said, adding that Fertuck “executed his plan, and executed Sheree.”

Sheree’s body has never been found, adding another element to the complex trial. But despite the lack of a body, Danyliuk said there was strong enough circumstantial evidence.

While the trial was initially scheduled for five weeks, hearings on admissibility delayed the proceedings, as did Fertuck’s numerous changes of representation and applications made during the trial. After changing lawyers several times, he chose to represent himself in court.

Crown Prosecutors Carla Dewar (left), and Cory Bliss (right), speak to media outside court on June 14, 2024. Bliss said he learned through the long trial what a beautiful person Sheree was. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

After the verdict was delivered, outside of the courthouse, Sheree’s sisters Michelle Kish, Teaka White, and Glenda Sorotski said justice has finally been served.

“We weren’t able to give a proper send off and say a proper goodbye to Sheree, but this is some sort of closure for us and we just firmly believe I guess that Sheree can now rest in peace, as our parents will be able to as well,” said White.

They described missing Christmases, birthdays, and other milestones without their sister.

“It’s not something that is ever going to be forgotten,” said Sorotski.

None of the sisters were surprised that Fertuck had killed Sheree.

“He had threatened to do it many times in the past,” said Kish. “That day on Dec. 7, he followed through with it.”

All three said they were thankful for the RCMP sting operation.

Crown Prosecutor Cory Bliss said he learned through the long trial what a beautiful person Sheree was.

“I think when she was taken from this world by Greg Fertuck, the world lost a light,” he said.

“This matter has been ongoing for longer than most trials I would say, have. But justice not only needs to be done, it needs to be seen to be done,” added co-Crown prosecutor Carla Dewar.

Sentencing will take place on July 4, though Fertuck will face the mandatory life sentence that accompanies a first-degree murder conviction in Canada.