When I first saw the Website Marketing company, I had the impression that Kathryn was given, found, or purchased a website template, and then assumed that there was nothing more to creating websites ... but there is an awful lot more to it.
Deceased/Not Found Canada - Alvin, 66, & Kathy Liknes, 53, Nathan O'Brien, 5, Calgary, 30 Jun 2014 - #12
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When I first saw the Website Marketing company, I had the impression that Kathryn was given, found, or purchased a website template, and then assumed that there was nothing more to creating websites ... but there is an awful lot more to it.
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It was posted earlier .. the Calgary Sun specified it was a TD bank card:
from:
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/0...on-of-interest-in-liknes-family-disappearance
The fact they were specific while other MSM were not seems to indicate their info is correct.
Lalalacasbah
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Just thinking about what you said of him working at large companies with computers He had those jobs back in the 90s, IIRC the internet didn't get really 'big' until around 2000 or so. I think I was on the internet myself in 1999 when it was first making it's presence to home users and workplaces. Also at the hospital I work at (and possibly labs, other large infrastructures) I think things became digitized around 2002, so not sure DG would've been that exposed to computers after all. But then again this is just random stuff I'm thinking about, who really knows!
Lalalacasbah
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True otto, these days everyone thinks they are a graphic/web designer or photographer with the help of the computers, which is so not the case. Maybe KL was trying to dabble and thought it was easy or not... maybe she purposely designed things to 'appear' like solid businesses. Another curious aspect to this case.
LoisLane
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I think DG had computer savvy skills. He had various users names set-up. He participated in forums, he looked for manuals and information regarding machinery and used the internet to search it out. He also was employed in fields where he would have had access to technology, going back to the 90's as Lalalacasbah points out. If he was not computer savvy he would not have all the user names... IMO. (My mother in-law is computer illiterate and still calls the gas company in Alberta when she has the simplest question that could be answered with a google search).
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I do recall a linkedin page of Kathryn Liknes, or Kathryn Prevost, stating that she completed a print making diploma after finishing high school. With a background in the print industry, it could be a natural extension to produce graphics for web, but website development and marketing is entirely different than graphics and print making.
Printing Management Technology, Printing Management
1997 – 1999
http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/kathryn-liknes/b/200/727
I suppose I'm looking at it in the context of Alvin having mastered the skill of setting up companies. Kathryn set up a company for website marketing, but she doesn't appear to have skills or training for developing websites or marketing. The company exists, but there doesn't seem to be anything behind it. We see the same thing with Douglas Garland. He has a company and a shell website, but then it seems to stop ... there doesn't seem to be a company behind it. Some of Alvin's dozen oil/gas companies, and construction companies are the same ... a shell, then nothing. The fact that Alvin has both construction and oil/gas companies is a red flag for me. Oil/gas and construction skills are both in high demand in Alberta, but the question that I have is: does he have expertise in both of those areas, or does he recognize a financial opportunity, create a company, and hope the money will come to him?
I've looked hard to find some sort of engineering credentials for Alvin, something that would give credibility to starting oil/gas companies, and can't find anything. It seems like one thing that Kathryn, Alvin, and Douglas have in common is setting up companies (with or without credentials), setting up shell websites, and then hoping the money will come to them. Alvin was successful with Winter Petroleum for 20 years, so he must know what he's doing in the field, but in terms of credentials to support business ventures, there seems to be a gap between claims that are made and actual training or ability (several failed patents on behalf of Alvin).
In any case, although there were questionable business dealings on behalf of the victims, dealings which may be tied to motive, it is challenging to understand where the accused fits into that picture.
After learning that the condo in Mazatlan is a joint Garland/Liknes investment, and that the Liknes couple planned to live there for a year, I'm more convinced that this financial deal is related to motive. I think that the accused harboured a deep seated resentment from seven years ago when business dealings between the accused and Alvin deteriorated. Alvin's son claimed that the accused and victim had not spoken for seven years (how can he know this? ... he can't). What that tells us is that there were problems between the two seven years ago, and that the problems related to the accused feeling duped, or cheated financially by the victim (ie: patent recognition dispute).
We know that the acreage owners are in a great financial position ... with property valued at about $6-8 million (depending on whether it is sold as one parcel, or smaller parcels). We know that their daughter is common law with Alvin's son Allen. We know that the Liknes couple have unusual financial dealings, and possibly financial problems. If the Liknes couple convinced their son Allen to ask his wife to contribute to the Mazatlan condo, it's possible that she approached her parents for an inheritance advance, or a loan. If it was a loan, they would have insisted that her name be on title (sound financial decision). If her name is not on title, Douglas would view that as identical to what happened with him seven years earlier ... where he "altered" or contributed to a patent concept, and his name was omitted from the patent. Is there any way to search land titles in Mazatlan?
ETA: in that case, his anger would have been directed at the couple, not just Alvin ... which corresponds better with planned and deliberate murders of both Alvin and Kathryn.
Douglas Garland would have been well aware of any financial transactions simply because it's normal for families to discuss inheritance finances with all children. If Douglas got it into his head that not only had the Liknes couple taken advantage of him seven years earlier (his perception of reality), but they were now taking advantage of his sister and/or their parent's finances, that might have been enough for him to seek revenge, or commit murder.
We know that the acreage owners are in a great financial position ... with property valued at about $6-8 million (depending on whether it is sold as one parcel, or smaller parcels). We know that their daughter is common law with Alvin's son Allen. We know that the Liknes couple have unusual financial dealings, and possibly financial problems. If the Liknes couple convinced their son Allen to ask his wife to contribute to the Mazatlan condo, it's possible that she approached her parents for an inheritance advance, or a loan. If it was a loan, they would have insisted that her name be on title (sound financial decision). If her name is not on title, Douglas would view that as identical to what happened with him seven years earlier ... where he "altered" or contributed to a patent concept, and his name was omitted from the patent. Is there any way to search land titles in Mazatlan?
ETA: in that case, his anger would have been directed at the couple, not just Alvin ... which corresponds better with planned and deliberate murders of both Alvin and Kathryn.
Douglas Garland would have been well aware of any financial transactions simply because it's normal for families to discuss inheritance finances with all children. If Douglas got it into his head that not only had the Liknes couple taken advantage of him seven years earlier (his perception of reality), but they were now taking advantage of his sister and/or their parent's finances, that might have been enough for him to seek revenge, or commit murder.
LoisLane
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Another creeping thought I have is about fraud. I have heard so many first-hand accounts of people being ripped off in the tens-of-thousands of dollars. Mostly bad investments with start-ups or property investments. These people lose the money and the police claim to have nothing to go on to press charges or even pursue an investigation.
One thought leads to another so I thought I would share this one story I have of a friend (I will call her L.) who was ripped off 20K from her Interior Designer (ID). They were doing home renovations including new kitchen cabinetry and granite countertops. As the materials and products are purchased L. writes cheques directly to the ID and gives her credit card number to purchase other things for the home. The charges were processed and cheques cashed immediately, but of course the products have to be made and ordered so it is not like L. is going to immediately receive the products she just purchased.
Long story-short... as the time goes by L. starts to suspect something is off, she can not reach here ID and so drives down to her office. Everything is still visible in the show room, so she waits around and the landlord shows up. He explains to her that this ID has abandoned the store, has not paid rent in months, left everything but her computers, and is unreachable. Well this puts L into action and she knows where her ID lives (L. had used her services successfully in the past and even had a somewhat "friendship") so she drives to the home. No one answers the door the house still has furniture in it and neighbours that L. spoke with have not seen her in a few days. L. drives to the local airport (Kelowna) and cruises the long-term parking lot. L. sees the ID car is parked. L. calls the police. They tell her to make a statement in regards to the cashed cheques and credit cards. as weeks go by it turns out others now have not received services and have lost money as well. L. contacts the cabinetry co. and the granite co. neither had received payment from the ID for L.'s home.
When we started to dig into the information that L. had from casual and on a personal level, conversations with the ID, we knew where she came from (Calgary) she was married to a successful home builder, who died. (not sure if I can say the name on here) She had moved to Kelowna and started the ID co. I verified that she was in fact not a registered ID as she claimed but she could claim to be a decorator. When we researched the home builder we found all kinds of complaints against them in regards to homes not being built or started well after money was paid. But seeing as the original owner of the home builder was dead this must pertain to the new owners... fortunately I have some contacts in the construction industry and they were quick to inform me that original (now dead) was a crookster.
L. was convinced she took off to Saskatchewan where her family was from (she had a few children, one was a toddler, the others were now young adults.) L. never received her money back, the supply companies did work with her and gave her a deal and helped with cutting costs to finish the job. Not sure if the ID and these companies were in it together but I doubt it.
This year when I search for this ID she is located in Edmonton working as an ID with her sons who use the same company name that is also well known in Calgary. The police have never shut her down, pressed charges or followed up with L. These people keep getting away with it and until something tragic happens it will keep going and maybe at that time the long list of people who were ripped off and involved with the dealings of fraud are brought to light. Who knows how much deeper it goes! Also the fact that a couple of the children who are adults are now using skills they have learned to contribute to the company and its operations raises even more suspicion by me.
Anyway, when I started searching the home builder again... I come across the Calgary Sun article talking about this $3M dollar home being built out towards Bragg Creek and of course the company building it is... the one the ID has involvement with. Also, to peeve me off even more I recognize the home not only because I had driven by it at Easter but because one of the victims family member (related to this forum) had it posted on his FB acct. as a "Wow, this guy has it rough" sort of idea. I don't think it is connected... I think it is ironic. Either way it caused me to share this very long story.
One thought leads to another so I thought I would share this one story I have of a friend (I will call her L.) who was ripped off 20K from her Interior Designer (ID). They were doing home renovations including new kitchen cabinetry and granite countertops. As the materials and products are purchased L. writes cheques directly to the ID and gives her credit card number to purchase other things for the home. The charges were processed and cheques cashed immediately, but of course the products have to be made and ordered so it is not like L. is going to immediately receive the products she just purchased.
Long story-short... as the time goes by L. starts to suspect something is off, she can not reach here ID and so drives down to her office. Everything is still visible in the show room, so she waits around and the landlord shows up. He explains to her that this ID has abandoned the store, has not paid rent in months, left everything but her computers, and is unreachable. Well this puts L into action and she knows where her ID lives (L. had used her services successfully in the past and even had a somewhat "friendship") so she drives to the home. No one answers the door the house still has furniture in it and neighbours that L. spoke with have not seen her in a few days. L. drives to the local airport (Kelowna) and cruises the long-term parking lot. L. sees the ID car is parked. L. calls the police. They tell her to make a statement in regards to the cashed cheques and credit cards. as weeks go by it turns out others now have not received services and have lost money as well. L. contacts the cabinetry co. and the granite co. neither had received payment from the ID for L.'s home.
When we started to dig into the information that L. had from casual and on a personal level, conversations with the ID, we knew where she came from (Calgary) she was married to a successful home builder, who died. (not sure if I can say the name on here) She had moved to Kelowna and started the ID co. I verified that she was in fact not a registered ID as she claimed but she could claim to be a decorator. When we researched the home builder we found all kinds of complaints against them in regards to homes not being built or started well after money was paid. But seeing as the original owner of the home builder was dead this must pertain to the new owners... fortunately I have some contacts in the construction industry and they were quick to inform me that original (now dead) was a crookster.
L. was convinced she took off to Saskatchewan where her family was from (she had a few children, one was a toddler, the others were now young adults.) L. never received her money back, the supply companies did work with her and gave her a deal and helped with cutting costs to finish the job. Not sure if the ID and these companies were in it together but I doubt it.
This year when I search for this ID she is located in Edmonton working as an ID with her sons who use the same company name that is also well known in Calgary. The police have never shut her down, pressed charges or followed up with L. These people keep getting away with it and until something tragic happens it will keep going and maybe at that time the long list of people who were ripped off and involved with the dealings of fraud are brought to light. Who knows how much deeper it goes! Also the fact that a couple of the children who are adults are now using skills they have learned to contribute to the company and its operations raises even more suspicion by me.
Anyway, when I started searching the home builder again... I come across the Calgary Sun article talking about this $3M dollar home being built out towards Bragg Creek and of course the company building it is... the one the ID has involvement with. Also, to peeve me off even more I recognize the home not only because I had driven by it at Easter but because one of the victims family member (related to this forum) had it posted on his FB acct. as a "Wow, this guy has it rough" sort of idea. I don't think it is connected... I think it is ironic. Either way it caused me to share this very long story.
I noticed there are live links to Paypal on that account. If you are using a computer, hover the mouse pointer over it and you will see it goes to an account. Paypal is owned by Ebay and cooperates fully with LE in cases of fraud or other crimes, so hopefully they will be checking to see who that Paypal account belongs to and if it is active. I use Paypal and have a debit card from them so I can withdraw funds as needed. I'm sure they've already probably checked into it, but, if not, they should see if there has been any withdrawal activity on the account in the last several weeks and if the owner of that account has requested a debit card from them.
Tinkerbel1
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lol...I was thinking exactly that when I was writing the post...that the internet really took off big probably after that. I remember when email was new...it really wasnt' that terribly long ago! But he has a facebook account so I think he must know something about how things work. He has friends on his FB account, plays games on it as well so he clearly has some type of knowledge...at least a little bit. Ha! As intelligent as he is touted to being, he probably has the whole darn thing figured out and can probably do way more than any of us can do...he is ADD, his mind probably never stops scheming. I can't decide if he's super intelligent or super dumb...he seems to be able to cast whatever shadow he wants. JMO
Tinkerbel1
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I had read somewhere (will look for info) that Alvin was a Petroleum Engineer...this is a 2 year program that is delivered at both NAIT and SAIT. He may not be an actual Engineer (as in P.Eng. with a University degree) although he may be presenting himself as one, but perhaps a Petroleum Engineering Technologist (P.E.T.). Whether or not he is registered with ASET or APEGGA would be interesting to find out.
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I posted last night a link to a letter published in MSM and in light of what you posted otto, the person who published the letter stated that they have known the G family for nearly 40 years and that the G family has two daughters not just one (PG). I cant find any info on the second daughter and perhaps WS members can have better research skills. It does bring a different scope to the history of the family imo and potentially to DG himself and/or the condo if it has a connection to L and G families.
I think you have perfectly described to serious problem with companies that are created and disappear over short period of time, often in the form of a shell company. That is exactly the objective: present themselves as experts take hard earned money and make empty promises to gullible/vulnerable people, pocket the money, delay, deceive, dissolve the company, and do it again. I came across this article in relation to Airdrie, published in the last couple of days:
"The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is asking Airdrie residents to take steps to ensure contractors are on the up-and-up when it comes time to repair the hail damage to their homes.
Out-of town contractors, known as storm chasers, tend to arrive following a major storm and offer significant repair savings. Unwitting homeowners or vehicle owners are asked to pay an upfront deposit and the storm chasers often leave town without completing the work."
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/hail-damage-victims-a-target-for-scammers-1.1951346
I believe that he would then have a technologist diploma rather than an engineering degree. He may have represented himself as a professional engineer ... true ... but without the Iron Ring, engineers would know better.
Someone checked earlier and he is not registered with APEGA (formerly APEGGA).
Thanks for posting that link! It looks like the accused has two sisters, so presumably any loans, or early inheritance, to any of the three children would be discussed in a family meeting. It seems possible that the money for the Garland interest in the Mazatlan property could be family money ... and that may be related to motive ... simply because that appears to be the most recent financial transaction between the two families, and because police are investigating details of the condo in Mexico at this time.
julydarling
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In regards to being "linked" to that conpany... it could be something as simple as she had a client who was moving from calgary to the usa, and she hooked her clients up with a realtor down south.
I worked in real estate at about the same time as KL did and have seen it done a few times. Makes realtors look more "on the map" when they have a large network of "associates".
CentralAlberta
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What was the name of the high school DB graduated from? [modsnip]
Cherchri
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DG went to George McDougall a High School in Airdrie. [modsnip]
Tinkerbel1
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In response to the latter part of your quote Otto...I wonder if its a possibility that DG was perhaps used as a Consultant of sorts by AL in some of these businesses? AL and DG are loosely related, so lets just assume for the purpose of discussion that they are "family". From the comments that I've read made by some of the neighbors, it sounds like the Liknes' were a warm, kind-hearted, welcoming couple. JMO, but there could be the possibility that AL and DG view the patent dispute as 'water under the bridge' as it doesn't appear it went anywhere anyway, so I'm not sure how angry DG would remain over that. Perhaps, from time to time DG did some work for one of AL's companies and other things have happened between them besides that patent dispute? Maybe AL even retained DG as "compensation", to show goodwill towards him in regards to the patent issue? DG is the uncle of AL's other grandchildren from his son AL. It's difficult to imagine that it caused such a huge rift...there weren't any gains from the patent were there? I can see DG distrusting AL in that regard for future dealings, but to hold that kind of grudge? I don't know if it would be worth it, DG didn't really lose anything by it (ie., money). I find it difficult to believe they stopped dealing with each other in a business sense, as they both seem to like to make 'make easy money'.. The only information we have on them not interacting was the comment made by his son, AL. FWIW, I think that perhaps they could have had business dealings since then.
Tinkerbel1
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KL is roughly the same age group as I am. Generally women go through changes in themselves physically, emotionally and mentally in this age group. IMO, it wouldn't be unusual for her to make some changes in her career and attempt other things...maybe just for 'something different'. It sounds like she was a talented lady, that was socially connected and perhaps thought she might like to pursue other interests. Nowadays, a lot of people's ideal job is to work for themselves...she's watched her husband do it for years, maybe she thought she would start her own business...its possible that he suggested it...he certainly knows how to set one up! It's possible that she has tried a multitude of different business ventures thinking she may like them, started to set them up, found they didn't really take off, or they weren't what she thought they would be and abandoned them. I agree that her webpages aren't "professional" looking, etc. but that's not to say that she wasn't attempting to build a "solid" business. I don't necessarily think that her trail of businesses portray her as "illegit"...they could just show that she was either undecided about what she wanted to do, or wasn't very good at setting up her own business...maybe she wanted to do it but couldn't stick with it...so hard to say.
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