Former girlfriend says alleged triple killer had ‘two personalities’
A former girlfriend of the man accused of killing his mother, stepfather and current girlfriend says she was in disbelief when she learned the 25-year-old had been charged with second-degree murder.
Reanne Martin said she met Dustin Duthie about 10 years ago while he was dating her friend. Martin said she and Duthie briefly became romantically involved shortly after, dating for a few weeks.
But she said the two kept in contact over the years and during that time she met both Shawn Boshuck, Duthie’s mother, and his stepfather, Alan Pennylegion. She said the accused wasn’t an ideal son but “was actually on really good terms with them.”
“When I heard about it, I almost didn’t believe it,” Martin told Postmedia. “They were really good people. They obviously didn’t deserve what happened.”
Martin said Duthie had a problem with drug use, which put him at odds with the rest of the family. But she said Boshuck and Duthie still had a strong bond.
“He actually had a really good relationship (with his mother). He and his stepdad kind of stepped on each other’s toes ... but, all in all, they seemed to be fine.”
But Martin also said Duthie would swing from joyful to angry “like he had two personalities,” saying he would become violent when he was using drugs but “when he was sober, he was actually quite a nice person.”
The family of Taylor Toller, allegedly Duthie’s first victim, says the 24-year-old woman touched many lives and will be sorely missed.
The bodies of Toller, Boshuck and Pennylegion were found at two separate residences in Calgary on Tuesday.
Toller’s body was found at her residence in the 2000 block of Applewood Court S.E., while Boshuck and Pennylegion were found at their home in the 10100 block of Hidden Valley Drive N.W.
During a news conference Thursday, CPS homicide Staff Sgt. Martin Schiavetta said despite earlier reports, the exact time of Toller’s death is yet to be confirmed.
“We have certainly been canvassing the area ... At this point, we believe she likely died in the early morning hours of the 26th,” Schiavetta said.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding Toller around that time to come forward.
“This case is a very tragic reminder that domestic violence is a real problem in our community,” Schiavetta added.
“The scenes have certainly taken a toll on our investigators as well ... As you can imagine, this was a very traumatic incident.”
The causes of death have not been released, but Schiavetta said Boshuck and Pennylegion were killed July 31.
Shane Graham, a friend of the family, spoke alongside Adam and David Pennylegion, two of the family’s sons.
“Alan Pennylegion was a friend of mine for close to 30 years, a man I consider a brother ... This is nothing short of a tragedy that has affected people in many different areas,” said Graham.
Graham said other family members living in the U.S. and other parts of Canada are on their way to Calgary to mourn their loss.
Two GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to support the family — Al Pennylegion & Shawn Boshuck Fund and Pennylegion Kids.
Toller’s family shared memories of the young woman who friends described as kind, loving and outgoing.
“Taylor was a kind and beautiful soul who touched many lives,” reads a statement from the Toller family. “She was admired and loved by her siblings, her parents, grandparents and extended family.
“She had a core group of very supportive friends with whom she was determined to make significant and positive contributions to her community. Taylor will continue on in our memory and we will continue her efforts towards community building in her name.”
Duthie’s case was called before a justice of the peace Wednesday but he was unable to appear. A Crown prosecutor and duty counsel said he was under psychiatric care at Rockyview General Hospital.
Duty counsel Ben Leung asked for the case to be adjourned to next Wednesday so Duthie can undergo a 30-day mental-health assessment.
Duthie is charged with three counts of second-degree murder.