Three die in family murder suicide

ST. PAUL -- Three people, including a man who suffered from depression, his wife and daughter, were found dead at a farmhouse in northeastern Alberta yesterday following an apparent murder-suicide. St. Paul RCMP said the bodies were found inside the home, near Mallaig -- 200 km northeast of Edmonton -- about 6 a.m. yesterday.

Police refused to confirm the cause of death yesterday pending the results of an autopsy due to be performed in Edmonton. But they added they were not looking for any suspects.

Family members of the victims said Gerry Christensen, 55, his wife Yvette, 50, and daughter Heather, 19, were killed in an apparent murder-suicide. The couple had been married for 28 years.

"The thing is we knew he was having problems, but it was shocking (this happened)," said Janet Christensen, 56, of her brother-in-law Gerry. "He loved his family."

Henry Christensen, who is Janet's husband, last saw his brother Gerry on Saturday.

"He was fine," said Henry, 61.

But when Henry drove up the road yesterday to see his brother's family, he knew something was wrong.

"As soon as I saw the cop cars, I knew."

Gerry, 55, was a mechanic who branched off into the beekeeping industry in 1967.

"He treated his employees really well," said Henry. "Anything they needed, he got it for them. I ought to know. I worked for him."