LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The man accused in a shocking double murder in Blairmore, Alta. last week was rushed to hospital in medical distress on Wednesday, and remained in a medically-induced coma Thursday, sources told Global News.
Derek James Saretzky, 22, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Terry Blanchette, 27, and his 2-year-old daughter, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette.
On Thursday, Alberta Justice confirmed an incident occurred on Wednesday involving an inmate in Lethbridge.
“The inmate from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre who was taken to hospital in medical distress yesterday continues to receive care in hospital,” said spokesperson Michelle Davio, in an emailed statement to Global News.
Officials won’t confirm the name of the inmate or their current condition citing privacy reasons, however, sources told Global News Saretzky is in a Lethbridge hospital after a suicide attempt. Officials said when an incident such as this occurs, a thorough review is conducted and action is taken to prevent it from happening again, which could include changes to policies and procedures or enhanced training.
Saretzky’s lawyer, Peter Northcott, declined to comment on Wednesday.
Global News has learned Saretzky was by himself in the shower when he attempted suicide. He was found in medical distress by guards, and transported to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge for medical treatment.
WATCH: The prime suspect in the murder of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and Terry Blanchette is in critical care in hospital. Paul Haysom reports.
Davio would only say “the medical distress that resulted in transportation to hospital was not the result of any altercation.”
Thousands of people are commenting on the latest developments in the case via social media.
“I find it very disturbing, this lynch mob mentality,” said Allan Fay, a criminal defence lawyer and former Crown prosecutor.
“I just pray none of these people ever have a member of their family in a situation where they are accused of a crime,” Fay said, while scrolling through the hateful comments.
Fay said the best possible outcome in the case would be Saretzky would recover, and could stand trial.
”The cornerstone of our criminal justice system is one is innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “I’ve had at least five clients who were charged with homicide and the result was the Crown prosecutor either withdrew or stayed the charges, so they were never found guilty.
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“If they had been put to death, as so many of these people on social media suggest, without a trial, then where would that leave us?”
The families of Terry and Hailey provided the below statement to the Saretzky family Wednesday:
READ MORE: What we know about Derek Saretzky
The body of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was found last week in a rural area near Blairmore, a day after her father was discovered dead in their home.
An Amber Alert was issued across Western Canada and Montana after the man’s body was found and authorities undertook a extensive search with the hope of finding the toddler alive.
READ MORE: Timeline of the abduction and murder of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and Terry Blanchette
Blanchette and the girl’s mother, 20-year-old Cheyenne Dunbar, were separated, but the two maintained a good relationship and both cared for Hailey.
Saretzky was known to both Blanchette and Dunbar, but authorities have not disclosed why they believe the father and his daughter were killed.
Saretzky’s next court appearance is set for Sept. 30.
With files from Global’s Nancy Hixt, Erika Tucker and The Canadian Press
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