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Derek Saretzky Charged in Death of Hanna Meketech

Apr 20, 2016 | 10:06 AM

COLEMAN – In a shocking statement made by RCMP, double murder suspect Derek Saretzky has been charged with an additional count of first degree murder in the death of Hanna Meketech, 69.

Her body was found inside her Coleman home on September 9, 2015, and an autopsy confirmed that the death was a homicide on September 11.

Inspector Derek Williams with the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch says Saretzky was identified as a suspect during the investigation into the deaths of Terry Blanchette, 27, and Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, 2, whose bodies were found just a week later.

It was later confirmed that Meketech lived next door to Saretzky’s grandparents.

The 23-year old was charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Terry and Hailey. He made his first appearance in Lethbridge Court on September 23.

Following an extensive psychiatric assessment this past November, it was deemed that Saretzky was fit to stand trial.

Police say Meketech and Saretzky knew each other, which they expected from a small community.

The charge was sworn on Tuesday (April 19) in Lethbridge Court and supported by the Crown, but say the motivation for the killing is “difficult to say” at this point.

Saretzky’s next court date will be in the city’s Provincial Court, but a date is yet to be determined.