WARNING: This story contains graphic content that some readers might find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
The jury in the triple-murder trial of Derek Saretzky, was told he gave police a full confession to all three murders.
The trial began Wednesday with an opening statement from Crown prosecutor Photini Papadatou, who warned the jury – comprised of seven women and seven men – the evidence they will hear for the next few weeks will be extremely graphic.
“You will hear and see what the accused says about each of these murders. You will actually hear from him what he did, how he did it,” Papadatou said.
Saretzky, 24, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Terry Blanchette and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, as well as 69-year-old Hanne Meketech, who was killed five days before the other victims.
He’s also accused of causing an indignity to the two-year-old’s body.
READ MORE: Derek Saretzky to go directly to trial for 3 counts of first-degree murder
Papadatou said this originally started as two separate investigations: the death of Meketech, and the death of Blanchette and the disappearance of his daughter. But the prosecutor said it soon became apparent there were similarities.
“There were a lot of things that were an awful lot alike in these two cases.”
An agreed statement of facts was presented to the jury, along with graphic photographs.
“We have to, I apologize, it’s our obligation,” the Crown said of showing the graphic pictures.
One photo was of Terry Blanchette, whose throat had been cut.
The gruesome scene photos included blood smears throughout the home and drag marks indicating he was attacked in his bedroom then dragged to the bathroom. Photos also showed blood on Dunbar-Blanchette’s crib and on a doll inside the crib.
Court heard it was Saretzky’s own family that alerted police they owned a van matching the description of the suspect vehicle during the Amber Alert for the little girl. The van matched the ones used by his family business from Prestige Cleaners.
The prosecutor explained the family owned a rural property in the Crowsnest Pass and had noticed a fire pit that “was smoking… They noted what they thought was a human bone.”
Police began a search of that property.
Court heard Saretzky later did a re-enactment of the crime and took police to that rural location. Officers were already on that site searching after the initial tip from a family member.
Watch below from June 5: Global’s Nancy Hixt looks back at how the case unfolded.
Papadatou said Wednesday she will let jurors hear what Saretzky did to the toddler from his own confessions. She said he had inside knowledge of the murders.
“He provided details to the police that only the killer would know.”
Blanchette, Dunbar-Blanchette, and Meketech were all killed in the Crowsnest Pass in September 2015.
Jurors were shown photos of the inside of Saretzky’s apartment from the search in 2015.
Police found books on serial killers and cannibalism, as well as a note pad with a list titled “Medicine Fresh.”
Written down — and crossed out — were words including Hanne, Chy (Cheyenne Dunbar), Terry, and “The hideous baby.”
At the bottom of that page were “church times,” listing different dates and times.
TIMELINE: Homicides of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, Terry Blanchette and Hanne Meketch
Saretzky was once again arraigned Wednesday morning in front of the jury, and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Patrick Edgerton, spoke to the media following the first day of evidence.
“Regardless of the nature of the allegations, regardless of how serious the offences are, everybody in Canada has the right to be tried by a jury of their peers for these offences,” he said.
“We trust in the justice system and we hope that over the next three weeks, the jury will keep in mind that Mr. Saretzky is innocent until proven guilty, which is ultimately their decision.”
The Crown said between 31 and 32 witnesses will testify over the next few weeks, with 38 exhibits to be presented.
The jury was told the Crown expects to close its case June 22.
Queen’s Bench Justice William Tilleman has warned the jurors to avoid news coverage and stay off social media.
Watch below: Global’s ongoing coverage of the case