WATCH: Information around the first time Calgary police were called to the home of Alvin and Kathy Liknes has been released. Stefan Keyes reports. Warning graphic details.
WARNING: This story contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
CALGARY – Gruesome details of blood stains and drag marks found at the home of Alberta grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes on June 30, 2014 were released to the public for the first time this week. An affidavit filed by police states officers believed the couple and their five-year-old grandson, Nathan O’Brien, were “likely murdered” within hours of the investigation.
The disappearance of O’Brien sparked the longest Amber Alert in Canadian history. Calgary police referred to the case as a “missing persons investigation” until July 15, when then-54-year-old Douglas Garland was charged with murdering the couple. Garland was eventually charged with three counts of first-degree murder in all three deaths. No bodies were ever found.
READ MORE: Timeline – Missing Calgary family Nathan O’Brien, Alvin and Kathryn Liknes
The affidavit is from the day Jennifer O’Brien returned to her parents home to pick up her son from a sleepover. According to the affidavit, O’Brien called police and said there was “blood everywhere” and that she believed her mom, dad and son had been murdered.
Homicide unit Det. Dave Sweet filed the affidavit. It contains details he received from Const. Trevor Matthes and Const. Tim Callaghan, two officers who were part of the first response to O’Brien’s call.
Officers noticed blood on the stairs leading up to second floor, including blood in both upstairs bedrooms. The document said there were drag marks in blood “consistent with a person(s) being dragged out the side door of the home and then north along the residences sidewalk.”
“Officers also located a dumbbell with blood staining on it located in a corner of the garage and bloody footprints leading into the garage,” reads the report.
Sweet’s affidavit concludes by saying he believes “on reasonable grounds that the Liknes and five-year-old Nathan O’Brien have been victims of a violent attack, have been taken against their will and are likely murdered.”
The significant amounts of blood, drag marks, dumbbell with blood on it were listed as reasons for the conclusion. In addition, Sweet noted none of the victims had yet been located or had checked into hospital.
Comments