Alberta man expected to plead guilty to murder of Onion Lake Cree women

A Crown prosecutor says an Alberta man is expected to plead guilty to killing two indigenous Saskatchewan women in 2007 and 2009.

Gordon Alfred Rogers of Red Deer is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jeanette Chief and Violet Heathen, who were both from Onion Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.

Police have said Rogers, who is 60, was living in Red Deer at the time of the deaths and had known Heathen for several years, but did not know Chief.

At a news conference last year after charges were laid in the two deaths, Jeanette Chief’s nephew, Tom Chief, said the family was grateful to RCMP for giving them a sense of justice after so long.

“Years of wondering, pain, hurt and addictions has torn this family to pieces,” Tom Chief said. “(Rogers) took a piece of us that will never be replaced ... Jeanette was a beloved mother, caring auntie, loving sister and protective grandmother, who loved and cherished those around her.”

RCMP Insp. Gibson Glavin read a statement on behalf of Heathen’s family, describing her as a mother and grandmother who loved horses and “could liven any room with her happy, carefree spirit.”

According to police last year, RCMP were able to “identify a nexus between the two cases” after “extensive” investigations by Alberta’s historical homicide unit and Saskatchewan’s historical case unit identified Rogers as a person of interest. The collaborative efforts between the two units led to the arrest of Rogers in Edmonton.

Crown prosecutor Jeff Rudiak said he expects Rogers to enter guilty pleas for second-degree murder in both deaths.

Rogers had lived in the Lloydminster area prior to living in Red Deer.