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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Ex-city family found dead in murder-suicide

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 05/8/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A teddy bear sits on the front lawn, Thursday, May 7, 2009, of the home where three members of the Saltel family were found dead Tuesday, May 5. (CNS CHRIS SCHWARZ)

EDMONTON -- A 49-year-old former Winnipeg man shot his wife and daughter and then himself in their home, an autopsy confirmed Thursday.

RCMP discovered the bodies of Kerry Saltel, his wife 47-year-old Gail and their 17-year-old daughter Erika inside the home in Grande Cache around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. They are not seeking any suspects beyond the three deceased.

The town's mayor called on its residents Thursday to pull together for the surviving daughter of the family.

Mayor Louise Krewusik knew the Saltel family through the couple's older daughter, who was in middle school when Krewusik was its principal.

"They were the good, kind, responsible citizens that every community is proud to have in their midst," Krewusik said. "We will come together and we will do whatever needs to be done in order to support those who remain behind."

Many in the town are confused and saddened by the discovery, Krewusik said.

"We will comfort one another and support one another and do whatever we can to make some sense of this tragedy."

The Saltels lived in Grande Cache for about 10 years, and ran Autumn Stone Music & Books in town. Kerry was terminally ill with colon cancer, and Gail had taken over most of the work of running the business.

"I'm quite sure that people are walking past that little shop and feeling that something is missing," the mayor said.

Neighbours described the Saltels as quiet and friendly.

Gina Goldie said the strain from Kerry's illness had visibly worn his wife down. Goldie said she last talked to Gail on Monday, when the women were cleaning their adjoining yards.

"She wasn't very happy," Goldie said.

Allyssa Lyon said she had been best friends with Erika for the past seven years, since the Saltels moved to Grande Cache.

"We just kind of suited each other," she said. "She was like my sister."

Lyon said Erika was always trying to make people happy.

Lyon said the two girls had plans to work for a year after their Grade 12 graduation this spring, then spend a year travelling to Spain and England.

Kerry and Gail Saltel both grew up in Winnipeg, and moved to Grande Cache for work after their children were born, said a friend from Landmark, Man.

Kerry was a train engineer for CN in Winnipeg and worked for another railway in Alberta.

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 8, 2009 A11

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