Girlfriend charged in death of ex-educator
The 30-year-old woman accused of killing 54-year-old retired educator Colin Sutherland was Sutherland’s girlfriend, family members confirm. Kelsie Sutherland, his daughter, said Sheritta Kahpeaysewat had been dating her father for about a year.
“I didn’t put the effort into getting to know her. I felt weird about her; I just didn’t want to meet her, I guess,” Sutherland said outside Saskatoon provincial court on Tuesday, where Kahpeaysewat made her first court appearance after being charged with seconddegree murder.
“But I didn’t hear of any arguments. He didn’t really disclose any of the really personal stuff of their relationship with me, so I don’t know their dynamic.”
Police charged Kahpeaysewat after Sutherland was found dead in his Fifth Avenue North apartment suite late Sunday night. During her brief court appearance, Kahpeaysewat proclaimed, through tears, that she has gone to university and has no criminal record. Her case was adjourned until Thursday so she can speak to a lawyer.
Bill Landrie attended court on Tuesday in support of Kahpeaysewat. He said his friend hadn’t spoken to anyone since her arrest. He told reporters he has no idea what could have happened between the couple to result in a murder charge.
“I wouldn’t have ever thought that she would have done something like this, ever. I will say I have heard some things about Colin, though, that aren’t quite so flattering. There’s not much I can say other than there’s a lot to this story that’s going to come out,” Landrie said.
He confirmed that Kahpeaysewat is a well-known singer from the Moosomin First Nation with a public online presence.
Sutherland said her father recently retired from working at a high school in North Battleford. She described him as a prankster with a sense of humour similar to Michael Scott from the popular television show The Office.
“He really wanted the best for everybody around him. He worked really hard to make people feel loved and welcome.”