Probe launched in slaying ofsenior

‘We haven’t had answers from RCMP’: family

Alberta Health Services is investigating and a family is questioning how a man arrested by RCMP and taken to hospital managed to slip out of the facility hours before being accused of killing a Stettler senior.

John Roland Savage, 51, is charged with second-degree murder in the April 6 death of 70-year-old James Hulkovich.

RCMP say Savage, also of Stettler, was initially arrested and transferred to the Stettler Hospital, where he was placed under the watch of hospital security.

An RCMP spokesman said Savage was not under police care while at the hospital but would not disclose why he was hospitalized or arrested.

“There is some questions and unfortunately we haven’t had answers from RCMP,” said Tim Hulkovich, the victim’s brother.

“If he had been in the hospital, how did he get out? We are understanding that if he was taken into the Stettler Hospital, they are not really set up to handle this type of person.”

We are understanding that if he was taken into the Stettler Hospital, they are not really set up to handle this type of person.

The victim’s nephew, Chris Schrauwen, said he was told Hulkovich was fatally shot during a break and enter. Hulkovich’s truck was stolen, then found the following day during a traffic stop near Wetaskiwin.

One of the truck’s four occupants, Savage, was arrested and transported to an Edmonton hospital where he received medical assistance.

RCMP would not say why Savage was hospitalized the second time. He was arrested April 10 and charged with Hulkovich’s death.

Schrauwen said his uncle was an outdoorsman who devoted his final years to caring for his wife, Carol, who had been dealing with multiple sclerosis.

“He had been looking after her ever since she was bedridden in the hospital. He devoted his life to being there every day,” said Schrauwen.

“Once a year, I’d get him out to Sundre for a day of fishing, but he always wanted to get back to her and see how she’s doing.”

A GoFundMe campaign, the Jim Hulkovich Memorial Fund, has been created to help Heritage House, the assisted living facility where Hulkovich spent time with his wife.

Savage is due back in a Stettler courtroom on April 26.