Reports say murder suspect tried to kill himself
Sources say Saretzky injured while attempting to commit suicide
An inmate in medical distress who was taken from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre to hospital on Wednesday remains in care, Alberta Justice confirmed on Thursday.
“The medical distress that resulted in transportation to hospital wasn’t the result of any altercation,” said spokeswoman Michelle Davio.
She couldn’t confirm the inmate’s identity or condition, though reports say the inmate is 22- year- old Derek James Saretzky, the man accused of murdering a two- year- old girl and her 27- year- old Blairmore father.
Saretzky was scheduled to appear in Lethbridge court Wednesday morning, but the matter was quickly adjourned to Sept. 30.
Saretzky, who has hired Edmonton lawyer Peter Northcott, didn’t appear in person or via CCTV on Wednesday. Northcott declined to comment later that day on whether his client had been taken to hospital.
Both CTV Calgary and CBC quoted unnamed sources as saying Saretzky was injured after attempting to take his own life.
Saretzky was arrested last week and charged with two counts of first- degree murder in the deaths of Terry Blanchette and his daughter, Hailey Dunbar- Blanchette. He also faces an additional charge of an indignity to a body in relation to Hailey’s death.
Community members affected by last week’s tragedy attended free sessions with grief counsellors in Blairmore on Thursday, said the mayor of the mountain town.
“Council felt it was important and I felt it was important,” said Blairmore mayor Blair Painter.
“We want to give as much support to our community as we possibly can.”