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RCMP lay murder charges in relation to Blairmore father and daughter homicides

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Taber Times

RCMP lay murder charges in relation to Blairmore father and daughter homicides

Blairmore, AB – The RCMP has charged Derek James Saretzky, age 22, of Blairmore, Alberta with First Degree Murder in the homicides of Terry Blanchette and his 2 year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette. Saretzky has been in police custody since yesterday when he was arrested as a suspect in the death of Mr. Blanchette and the disappearance of his daughter Hailey, whose body was found in a rural area near Blairmore yesterday afternoon. Saretzky also faces one count of Indignity to a Body in relation to Hailey’s death. Saretzky will remain in police custody pending his first court appearance at 9:30 a.m. on September 23rd in Lethbridge Provincial Court, Room 001.

Anyone with information that might assist police in the investigation into these deaths is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866. . Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

*** Previous Updates***

September 14, 2015

Crowsnest Pass Alberta – RCMP has issued an AMBER Alert, at 2:30 PM, this afternoon. Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, age 2, a caucasian female child, small build, light brown, straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes, was abducted by an unknown person.

The suspect vehicle, fled the residence west, at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is described as a newer model white van, with a large rear antenna, with a flag attached. Do not approach the suspect. Please contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP 403-562-2866 if you have any information.

RCMP Investigate Homicide Related to Amber Alert

Blairmore, Alberta – Today, the RCMP in Crowsnest pass were called to a residence just after 11:15 a.m. in the town of Blairmore, by a family member who had just discovered a deceased male in the home.

The deceased has been identified as 27 year old Terry Blanchette of Blairmore, Alberta. He is the biological father of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette . The RCMP remains on the scene and have called in the Southern Serious Crimes Branch investigators. RCMP Investigators have confirmed the death is suspicious and are now investigating this as a homicide.

This homicide investigation is related to the disappearance of 2 year old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, subject of an Amber Alert earlier today.

RCMP Update # 1 re: Blanchett Homicide and Abduction of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette

Blairmore, AB – The investigation into the abduction of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchett, age 2, continues. The child has yet to be located and police efforts to find her are ongoing. The Amber Alert issued in relation to her disappearance is still in effect. Anyone with information that might assist police is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866.

The RCMP is aware that there is a lack of clarity in some reporting around the timing of the Amber Alert. The Amber Alert was issued in accordance with policy and as soon as police could determine if the situation warranted one. The Amber Alert was issued three hours and one minute after the police received the report of the sudden death in Blairmore. The RCMP is providing the following time line of events for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the nature and pace of this police investigation.

Tuesday, September 14, 2015.

11:12 a.m. 2:13 p.m.Crowsnest Pass RCMP receive a call reporting a sudden death at a home in Blairmore, Alberta.

Attending officers from the local detachment secure the scene and begin investigation. The RCMP Major Crimes Unit, based in Calgary is immediately engaged to assist.

Police learn that a child resided at the home and that there is a possibility that she is missing.

Police immediately conduct a search of the area which includes a neighbourhood canvass to eliminate the possibility that the child may be in the care of a neighbour.

Police efforts to obtain contact information for the child’s mother are ongoing.

Information gathered by investigators indicates that the child was abducted from the home at 3:30 a.m. that morning.

2:14 p.m. – Amber Alert is issued for Alberta. RCMP is contacted by child’s mother.

3:15 p.m. – Based on information now known to investigators, the Amber Alert is extended to British Columbia, Montana, and Saskatchewan. The investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.

RCMP Update # 2 re: Blanchett Homicide and Abduction of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette

Blairmore, AB – The RCMP has arrested a suspect in the homicide of Terry Blanchette, age 27, who was found dead in his Blairmore home yesterday morning. The male suspect, age 22, was arrested in Blairmore earlier today. He is a resident of that community. His name is not being released due to investigational considerations.

He is now in police custody for questioning in relation to the Blanchett homicide and the disappearance of Hailey Dunbar- Blanchette, age 2, who was abducted from her father’s home at 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning. The investigation into the child’s whereabouts is ongoing. Police have located a white van in the Blairmore area and are in the process of determining if it is related to the incident under investigation. It is too soon for police to know if this is the van that was reportedly seen near the Blanchett home early Monday morning.

The Amber Alert issued in relation to Hailey’s disappearance is still in effect. Anyone with information that might assist police is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866. . Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Amber Alerts expire 24-hours after they are issued. The RCMP will be renewing this Amber Alert at 2:14 p.m. today and is asking the jurisdictions of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Montana to do the same.

The RCMP were in contact with Hailey’s mother Cheyenne Dunbar about the investigation prior to the Amber Alert being issued.

RCMP Update # 3 re: Blanchette Homicide and Abduction of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette

Blairmore, AB – The RCMP has no new information to distribute regarding the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Terry Blanchette, age 27, and the disappearance of his two year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette. Police efforts to locate Hailey are ongoing.

The Amber Alert issued yesterday afternoon in relation to Hailey’s disappearance is still in effect in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Montana. Anyone with information that might assist police is asked to call Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866. . Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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