Double homicide victims suffered ‘sheer terror’

Police say fire at 8 Greening Crt. early Monday was deliberately set

A FIRE THAT KILLED a retired Dundas couple early Monday is now considered a double homicide by Hamilton police.

The blaze at 8 Greening Crt. was deliberately set, according to Staff Sgt. Steve Bereziuk of Hamilton police’s major crime unit.

Carla Rutherford, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters pulled her from her home.

Her husband, Alan Rutherford, 64, was badly burned but managed to escape and knock on a neighbour’s door for help. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died hours later Monday afternoon.

“These were innocent victims who would have suffered sheer terror,” Bereziuk said during a brief news conference Friday afternoon at Ham-

ilton police’s central station.

Bereziuk declined to speak about a motive or potential suspects.

“The route, naturally, is to look at people closest to the family,” Bereziuk said, adding that the family has been co-operative so far. “This is likely to be a very lengthy investigation,” he added.

Bereziuk said it’s believed the fire, which broke out around 3:45 a.m. Monday, started in a bedroom at the back of the singlestorey house, located on a small court near Dundas Driving Park. Bereziuk declined to answer questions about the cause of the fire or other specific details, such as whether the house had functioning smoke detectors, because they related to evidence in the case.

The fire scene was held for approximately four days while an initial investigation was undertaken by police and the Office of the Fire Marshal. Bereziuk said evidence collected at the scene led to the police’s belief the couple was killed deliberately. “We believe this was targeted.”

Bereziuk said the couple met at Hamilton Health Sciences, where they had both worked before retiring, and they had been together about 20 years. Carla had two sons and four grandchildren. Alan had two daughters and four grandchildren. They were avid members of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. Alan was a model plane aficionado and Carla was a talented quiltmaker.

“They’re tremendous people,” Bereziuk said.

Hamilton police are asking anyone with information about the fire or anyone who knew the victims to contact Det. Ben Adams at 905-546-3836. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police are also asking anyone with surveillance video in the area to check and call police if they see anything out of the ordinary.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Staff Sgt. Steve Bereziuk says the investigation into the deaths of Carla and Alan Rutherford of Dundas could be “very lengthy.”

GARY YOKOYAMA THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR The fire broke out at Carla and Alan Rutherford’s home on Greening Court in Dundas around 3:45 a.m. on Monday. During a news conference Friday, police declined to say whether there were working smoke alarms.

JOHN RENNISON THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Hamilton police are investigating deaths of Carla and Allan Rutherford as homicides.