Son faces murder charge in mother’s death

A 63-year-old woman who was killed this week in Saskatoon, allegedly by her son, is remembered by friends and colleagues as a hardworking nurse who was always quick to laugh.

“All of us girls who had the privilege of working with her are heartbroken to know this happened to her,” said Shelby Fedorychka, who worked with Sandra Zerr as a nurse in the city.

Zerr, known to her friends as Sandy, died Wednesday afternoon in a Saskatoon hospital after an incident that happened shortly after midnight at a home in the 3500 block of Balfour Street.

Kyle James Zerr, 29, is charged with second-degree murder in her death. Saskatoon police would only say that the victim and the accused were known to each other. Other sources confirmed that Kyle Zerr is Sandra’s son.

He appeared Thursday in Saskatoon provincial court. Wearing a white jumpsuit and acknowledging the judge during his brief appearance, he was remanded until his next scheduled court appearance on April 1.

Fedorychka said Sandra Zerr was a talented seamstress who would make receiving blankets for women at work who were expecting children. “She was always up for a good laugh, as well. An all-around great person,” she said.

Members of the Zerr family were in the courtroom Thursday, but declined to comment.

Police said they responded to a report of an injured woman on Wednesday just after midnight. The victim was rushed to hospital by ambulance, where she died at about 5 p.m. as a result of her injuries. The city police major crimes and forensic units are investigating. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.