The bodies of Merv and Terry Thoreson, father and son, were found on their rural property west of Claresholm Friday.
While it’s believed both men died of natural causes, there are many troubling questions surrounding their deaths since their bodies were found on the same day and on the same property.
Initially it started as a missing persons case for Merv Thoreson, but then it took a tragic turn when the son Terry – who was looking for his dad – was found dead. Twelve hours later police discovered the bodies of the father five hundred metres away.
READ MORE: Father and son found dead on rural property near Claresholm, Alta.
Terry and Merv Thoreson was Julie Thoreson’s son and ex-husband and is shocked by their passing on the same day.
“You roll the dice and you never know where it’s going to end. It’s a shock, a big shock,” Thoreson said.
Merv, who was 84-years-old, was last been seen on Wednesday at the restaurant ‘Roys’.
“He told everybody in there, because that’s his favorite spot, that he was missing a colt and that he was going to go home and look for it. And there had been some grizzly in the area and he was going to take his quad and go,” Thoreson said.
But when Merv didn’t show up for coffee on Thursday, his son, 50-year-old Terry went looking for him. Then Terry was found dead.
“At around 1 a.m. Friday morning, a male was located that had passed away and it turned out it was the son who had originally reported his father missing,” Cst. Josh Fletcher with Claresholm RCMP said.
Terry had a history of heart problems and RCMP said his death is not suspicious.
About 12 hours later, Merv’s body was found five hundred metres from where Terry’s body was discovered.
It’s also believed Merv died of natural causes.
However, many questions linger.
“None of it has been normal. So whether the grizzly had come along, I don’t know if they’ve ever found the colt, it’s all still a little bit of a mystery,” Thoreson said. “I’ve never been superstitious but Friday the 13th has a pretty bad look at it now.
Julie is now focused on just keeping busy. Terry had often helped her here in her local shop, designing western wear and he also shared a love of horses.
“He had learned from his dad and my dad the shoeing. He too was a very good horseman and an excellent shoer,” Thoreson said.
Julie’s concern now is for her other son Blaine.
“It’s not easy for Blaine. It’s a double whammy. He’s lost a brother and his father and that’s pretty hard,” Thoreson said.
Their family is now much smaller but also strong. Their dedication to animals is a passion that runs deep in the family and is now a source of comfort.
The medical examiner has been called in to determine the exact causes of death.
Claresholm is about 130 kilometres south of Calgary.
Comments