CALGARY – The man accused of the murders of a two-year-old Alberta girl and her father has been ordered to undergo another 30 day psychiatric assessment.
Derek Saretzky, 22, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Terry Blanchette, 27, and Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette.
Blanchette was found dead inside his Blairmore, Alta. home on Sept. 14. Officers discovered Hailey was missing, prompting an Amber Alert. The next day, RCMP found Hailey’s remains in a rural area. Saretzky has also been charged with one count of committing indignity to a human body.
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On Thursday, Saretzky made a brief appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court via CCTV from Calgary Remand Centre.
During the appearance a judge was presented with a letter from Saretzky’s doctor, requesting the 30-day psychiatric assessment he was ordered to undergo last month be extended for an additional 30 days. The judge consented.
The results of the psychiatric assessment will be used to determine if Saretzky is fit to stand trial, and what his state of mind was at the time of the alleged offence.
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Saretzky is scheduled to return to Lethbridge Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 26.
Police have said Saretzky was an “acquaintance” of Blanchette and Cheyenne Dunbar, Hailey’s mother, but refused to elaborate on the nature of the relationship.
– With files from Sarolta Saskiw
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