Canada - Brenda Walker, 49, found slain after calling 911, Strathmore, AB, 7 Jan 2015

[deugirtni]

Well.. I'm sure this is wrong, but since we don't know for sure what LE found.. is it possible that BW could have been severely depressed, perhaps taking another form of depressant on top (alcohol), and decided to end her own life.... and then when it perhaps did not immediately work, she could have panicked and called both 911 AND GR? And when GR arrived, if BW couldn't respond to the door, knowing she was in danger, could he have broken the window to gain entry to try to save her?
But of course.. this theory falls apart rather immediately, because if that were the case, then he wouldn't have left prior to emergency services arriving, and LE wouldnt' be searching for a weapon (which they appear to have been doing, based on K9 dogs searching, and going through trash, etc)

 

[LoisLane]

The September 2014 post talks about "the love of her life" Glenn and his mother dying as well as her vision of how she wants to impact the lives of those struggling and the impact she could make when she leaves this world. That was written only 4 months ago.
http://chapteronecoaching.com/wordpress/?p=210

Glenn has had his mother recently passed away, separated from his common-law spouse in December, he has been hospitalized for an infection, and is now charged with first degree murder. Wow.

 

[deugirtni]

Yes, wow is right! And ouch! I hope they will place him on suicide watch!

The September 2014 post talks about "the love of her life" Glenn and his mother dying as well as her vision of how she wants to impact the lives of those struggling and the impact she could make when she leaves this world. That was written only 4 months ago.
http://chapteronecoaching.com/wordpress/?p=210

Glenn has had his mother recently passed away, separated from his common-law spouse in December, he has been hospitalized for an infection, and is now charged with first degree murder. Wow.

 

[deugirtni]

I will have to go and read more of BW's blog, I didn't realize they had already agreed to part before his hospitalization. I read on BW's FB how excited she was to have him come home (from the hospital), etc., so I had no idea that was already the case.

IIRC (according to her blog) they had already agreed to go separate ways prior to his hospitalization but that she was supportive and caring for him while he was in hospital. I wonder what kind of meds he was on and if any side effects could have caused him to go off the deep-end.

 

[LoisLane]

Well.. I'm sure this is wrong, but since we don't know for sure what LE found.. is it possible that BW could have been severely depressed, perhaps taking another form of depressant on top, and decided to end her own life.... and then when it perhaps did not immediately work, she could have panicked and called both 911 AND GR? And when GR arrived, if BW couldn't respond to the door, knowing she was in danger, could he have broken the window to gain entry to try to save her?
But of course.. this theory falls apart rather immediately, because if that were the case, then he wouldn't have left prior to emergency services arriving, and LE wouldnt' be searching for a weapon (which they appear to have been doing, based on K9 dogs searching, adn going through trash, etc)

I am with you here! He could have panicked because it could have appeared he had done it and so he fled.

 

[deugirtni]

Speaking about this topic... I have rather noticed, in many types of 'careers', or interests, that it seems many people get a little experience with something, enjoy it, believe they did a good job, and then decide to create a business or make a career out of it.. it seems as if some dont' recognize that education and credentials go a long way towards feasibility.

We are on the same page. I have had some major eye openers in my life relating to soul teachers and I am always very careful as to who I am dealing with and that certified professionals are much safer and are not self-serving. I could go on and on.

 

[LayzeeDayzee]

And.. I just want to point out...... many second timers do not necessarily want to do the 'marriage' thing again... depending on the ages of these 'adult children'.... if GR had spent 6 years with them kind of treating him like their own dad.. then, to me, in my humble opinion, that would be very very sad for him to just walk away from them and perhaps their young kids, who had thought of him as Grampa, just because his relationship with their mom/grandmother had ended. It sounds like they still remained friends, which should be considered a *good* thing, I would think? I think it is so sad that if a relationship involves children, younger or older, who come to think of their parent's new partner as a parent figure, it would just end too, if the relationship itself ended. Kind of like how when a married couple's relationship ends, and the one parent no longer has anything to do with his/her own kids afterward... it is just so sad. One might hope that one's self esteem and feeling of being loved could be strong enough to accept the continuing relationship, at least to some healthy degree. In this case, perhaps the relationship between GR and his ex's kids/grandkids was a little too much however.. or was it just BW's perception of being too much?

I think it really depends. if it IS true that GR and his ex were communicating (calls and texts) several times a day while he was in a relationship w/ BW, that seems a bit much and not really fair to the relationship he was in with BW. Could it be that his ex was initially 'okay' with his new relationship but over time grew to resent it and wanted him back? (sometimes exes do a total 180 when they come to realize their ex is happy with someone else and they suddenly decide they want them back). It's one thing, IMO, to remain cordial and friendly but what sounds like increased daily communications over time?........giving money to ex's adult kids? I can certainly see how initially BW might have construed his continued interaction with ex/her family as "wow, what a good man!" but then overtime perhaps that interaction increased to the point where it was encroaching on the level of privacy and intimacy between GR and BW. I am mid 40s and I would be pretty put off by a man I was in a relationship with, having constant daily communication with his ex if it had nothing to do with, say, minor children they co-parented and obviously had to interact about. There comes a point where a line is crossed and I would feel the guy was (a).......not over his ex.......(b) perhaps with me only as a "rebound"......(c) using me for some gain on his part.........(d).....not being straight with me about how "over" his relationship really was. I've personally been there/done that and there is nothing more detrimental to a new relationship than your partner and his ex not being able to cut the apron strings, so to speak. life is short, who needs that? ugh.

 

[news.talk]

I am with you here! He could have panicked because it could have appeared he had done it and so he fled.

I would imagine that they would have to have more than a broken window and a hunch to file formal charges. He wasn't merely taken in for questioning - he was formally charged.

Of course there is plenty of room for error and a formal charge does not mean that he is guilty... It does suggest that they have some pretty hard, substantial evidence. The charge is *first degree homicide* suggesting it was pre-meditated.

His first court appearance is January 20th.

 

[LayzeeDayzee]

If it's okay to post, can someone pls post the link to her FB page? I have not been able to find it, too many with that same name and I can't seem to figure out how to narrow the search to just Strathmore, AB. thanks!

Thank you LoisLane for the link to BW's FB..... after looking through that a little.. and after reading some of her blog (and especially the paragraph you posted above).. I almost get the feeling that BW could have potentially had some kind of mood disorder/bipolar type of thing going on. That is a horrible thing for me to say, considering the woman is deceased, but just looking over some of her ponderings and writings, it seems very choppy and up-and-down to me. The same things that I have been reading are also kind of indicating that there was a perhaps more than average amount of alcohol consumption going on in her life? Wow, I just can't even imagine what it must have taken for the GR fellow to completely lose it like that on her. I too hope they have the correct perp..... although it is difficult to imagine anyone else.. it said in an MSM article somewhere that the area she lived in has a very low rate of these types of crimes. The broken window (presumably to gain access) is kind of suspect however. LE stated they had 'one' person of interest in mind at the time before GR became an accused.
Just terribly terribly sad.... for all affected by this.

 

[news.talk]

If it's okay to post, can someone pls post the link to her FB page? I have not been able to find it, too many with that same name and I can't seem to figure out how to narrow the search to just Strathmore, AB. thanks!

It is searchable as Brenda Rae Walker.

 

[LoisLane]

I would imagine that they would have to have more than a broken window and a hunch to file formal charges. He wasn't merely taken in for questioning - he was formally charged.

Of course there is plenty of room for error and a formal charge does not mean that he is guilty... It does suggest that they have some pretty hard, substantial evidence. The charge is *first degree homicide* suggesting it was pre-meditated.

His first court appearance is January 20th.

Agreed. I wonder about the autopsy results. If there was a gun, if there was gun powder residue on both people. The police have not comfirmed that he was and is the only suspect and are still asking for information and that it is an ongoing investigation. What if his ex was involved and he is protecting her? Just a thought...

 

[LoisLane]

If it's okay to post, can someone pls post the link to her FB page? I have not been able to find it, too many with that same name and I can't seem to figure out how to narrow the search to just Strathmore, AB. thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.r.walker.9?ref=ts

 

[deugirtni]

Agreed. I should read more of the blog before I post.

A little time out for something unrelated... but this made me think of it.. yesterday in the news I was reading about a groom's parents who had given his bride half ownership of a home that was purported to be worth one million dollars, and when the new marriage ended after several months, (I forget how many), the parents wanted the gift given back to them. (It was a foreign couple and in their land, I guess it is customary for the bride to return gifts if the marriage fails). I read the article, and just couldn't help find it humorous when the bride said she still loved her husband, and still wanted the relationship, but she just couldn't live with his parents any longer! So.. guys should definitely learn to cut their apron strings with both their exes and their parents when they commit to a new relationship!

Also, now that you are pointing out the daily texts and calls and etc. from the ex (which I need to go and read more of the blog about!), it reminded me of a couple I know.. same type of deal.. and same also in that the man was perfectly willing to accept all the texts and such from his ex, even though it was causing great disharmony in his new relationship. It almost seemed to me that he was not so much not over his ex, but that he was kind of enjoying the feeling of being so 'needed', and perhaps also enjoying that this was causing jealousy. This newer couple's relationship ended for a few months because of this, but then they got back together again. Hopefully the man is no longer putting up with the incessant texts and calls and neediness from his ex (altho he does share custody of children with his ex in this case).

I think it really depends. if it IS true that GR and his ex were communicating (calls and texts) several times a day while he was in a relationship w/ BW, that seems a bit much and not really fair to the relationship he was in with BW. Could it be that his ex was initially 'okay' with his new relationship but over time grew to resent it and wanted him back? (sometimes exes do a total 180 when they come to realize their ex is happy with someone else and they suddenly decide they want them back). It's one thing, IMO, to remain cordial and friendly but what sounds like increased daily communications over time?........giving money to ex's adult kids? I can certainly see how initially BW might have construed his continued interaction with ex/her family as "wow, what a good man!" but then overtime perhaps that interaction increased to the point where it was encroaching on the level of privacy and intimacy between GR and BW. I am mid 40s and I would be pretty put off by a man I was in a relationship with, having constant daily communication with his ex if it had nothing to do with, say, minor children they co-parented and obviously had to interact about. There comes a point where a line is crossed and I would feel the guy was (a).......not over his ex.......(b) perhaps with me only as a "rebound"......(c) using me for some gain on his part.........(d).....not being straight with me about how "over" his relationship really was. I've personally been there/done that and there is nothing more detrimental to a new relationship than your partner and his ex not being able to cut the apron strings, so to speak. life is short, who needs that? ugh.

 

[Canadianmom2three]

Well.. I'm sure this is wrong, but since we don't know for sure what LE found.. is it possible that BW could have been severely depressed, perhaps taking another form of depressant on top (alcohol), and decided to end her own life.... and then when it perhaps did not immediately work, she could have panicked and called both 911 AND GR? And when GR arrived, if BW couldn't respond to the door, knowing she was in danger, could he have broken the window to gain entry to try to save her?
But of course.. this theory falls apart rather immediately, because if that were the case, then he wouldn't have left prior to emergency services arriving, and LE wouldnt' be searching for a weapon (which they appear to have been doing, based on K9 dogs searching, and going through trash, etc)

I still think this theory could work as you put above but maybe BW called 911 and told them GR was there and she feared for her life, so he fled either when he heard that or she told him what she did before killing herself. If she had done it with him right beside her, he could have the residue on him.

I would love to hear his side of the story, it really does seem like we are missing a huge chunk.

 

[LoisLane]

I still think this theory could work as you put above but maybe BW called 911 and told them GR was there and she feared for her life, so he fled either when he heard that or she told him what she did before killing herself. If she had done it with him right beside her, he could have the residue on him.

I would love to hear his side of the story, it really does seem like we are missing a huge chunk.

I feel like something is missing as well. Why wouldn't he have waited or ensured she was dead so she couldn't dial 911? I wonder if she called before he had made contact with her or was it after he fled or during the altercation.

I also think it could be possible she was attempting suicide and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I wonder if they will disclose the autopsy results.

Brenda's funeral is tomorrow.
http://www.mhfh.com/walker-brenda-lee-rae/

 

[deugirtni]

Yes, that totally *doesn't* make sense that a murderer wouldn't wait for his victim to be dead and unable to ID him before scurrying off.. unless he got scared for some reason (sirens in the distance freaked him out??).

If BW did it herself somehow, that also doesn't make sense because from the sounds of it (could be misinterpreting the info though, I suppose), LE was looking around the trash for something, like perhaps the weapon.. which.. if the fatal injuries were self inflicted, should be right within her grasp or at least right nearby somewhere.

I wondered for a moment if BW could have simply had enough ability to just dial 911 from her cell.. but I believe in MSM it stated the call had been made from a woman at the address, so therefore, she must have spoken to them.... which also is strange (imho) because if perp was still present, murdering her, when she dialed 911 or whatever, (is it 911 in Calgary also??), why would he not just whip it out of her hand and hang up before she spoke.. and why would he leave her just near death and leave, rather than make sure she was dead.. no sense..

Also, how risky to break the window to gain access, no fear of neighbours hearing?? it wasn't THAT late at night that he could be certain nobody would be awake??

Definitely something big missing.

I feel like something is missing as well. Why wouldn't he have waited or ensured she was dead so she couldn't dial 911? I wonder if she called before he had made contact with her or was it after he fled or during the altercation.

I also think it could be possible she was attempting suicide and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I wonder if they will disclose the autopsy results.

Brenda's funeral is tomorrow.
http://www.mhfh.com/walker-brenda-lee-rae/

 

[news.talk]

Yes, that totally *doesn't* make sense that a murderer wouldn't wait for his victim to be dead and unable to ID him before scurrying off.. unless he got scared for some reason (sirens in the distance freaked him out??).

If BW did it herself somehow, that also doesn't make sense because from the sounds of it (could be misinterpreting the info though, I suppose), LE was looking around the trash for something, like perhaps the weapon.. which.. if the fatal injuries were self inflicted, should be right within her grasp or at least right nearby somewhere.

I wondered for a moment if BW could have simply had enough ability to just dial 911 from her cell.. but I believe in MSM it stated the call had been made from a woman at the address, so therefore, she must have spoken to them.... which also is strange (imho) because if perp was still present, murdering her, when she dialed 911 or whatever, (is it 911 in Calgary also??), why would he not just whip it out of her hand and hang up before she spoke.. and why would he leave her just near death and leave, rather than make sure she was dead.. no sense..

Also, how risky to break the window to gain access, no fear of neighbours hearing?? it wasn't THAT late at night that he could be certain nobody would be awake??

Definitely something big missing.

It is an odd case. What I can't get around is the first degree murder charge. That suggests pre-meditation and for them to lay charges, they would need significant evidence.

We have another case here - A mass shooting down the street from me on New Year's. They had over 50 witnesses, have a suspect in custody on unrelated charges but have not laid charges yet. It just re-confirms to me that the Crown is very careful when deciding to lay a charge. Since they have in Brenda's case, they *must* have pretty good evidence. MOO.

 

[LoisLane]

It is an odd case. What I can't get around is the first degree murder charge. That suggests pre-meditation and for them to lay charges, they would need significant evidence.

We have another case here - A mass shooting down the street from me on New Year's. They had over 50 witnesses, have a suspect in custody on unrelated charges but have not laid charges yet. It just re-confirms to me that the Crown is very careful when deciding to lay a charge. Since they have in Brenda's case, they *must* have pretty good evidence. MOO.

I think the Crown has to be very careful when determining the validity of 50 potential witnesses and because there were so many it is taking longer to corroborate statements. Some key witnesses may be scared to talk or in hiding. It doesn't surprise me based on the event in itself that they would have a lot more work to process beforehand.

As for this case I wonder if the blog and arguments etc. could have been enough for first degree or if GR admitted to doing it. If the investigation was ongoing at the time of the charges is it possible the charges could be lessened at a later date in the same way that further charges can be laid?

If her autopsy came back that she had a significant alcohol and drug level content would that be taken into consideration in the defense of the accused or suggest or validate a defense that both were provoking one another? If so would it still fall under first-degree?

If the tables were turned and BW killed GR in the heat of an argument and police had the blog entries to suggest a crime of passion would she have been charged with first-degree? Or would there have to be more? Is the broken window alone showing pre-intent? I am curious how that works.

 

[news.talk]

I think the Crown has to be very careful when determining the validity of 50 potential witnesses and because there were so many it is taking longer to corroborate statements. Some key witnesses may be scared to talk or in hiding. It doesn't surprise me based on the event in itself that they would have a lot more work to process beforehand.

As for this case I wonder if the blog and arguments etc. could have been enough for first degree or if GR admitted to doing it. If the investigation was ongoing at the time of the charges is it possible the charges could be lessened at a later date in the same way that further charges can be laid?

If her autopsy came back that she had a significant alcohol and drug level content would that be taken into consideration in the defense of the accused or suggest or validate a defense that both were provoking one another? If so would it still fall under first-degree?

If the tables were turned and BW killed GR in the heat of an argument and police had the blog entries to suggest a crime of passion would she have been charged with first-degree? Or would there have to be more? Is the broken window alone showing pre-intent? I am curious how that works.

Here is the law - I took out a couple sections where this case wouldn't be relevant:

Classification of murder

231.*(1)*Murder is first degree murder or second degree murder.

Planned and deliberate murder

(2)*Murder is first degree murder when it is planned and deliberate.

Contracted murder

(3)*Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), murder is planned and deliberate when it is committed pursuant to an arrangement under which money or anything of value passes or is intended to pass from one person to another, or is promised by one person to another, as consideration for that other’s causing or assisting in causing the death of anyone or counselling another person to do any act causing or assisting in causing that death.

Hijacking, sexual assault or kidnapping

(5)*Irrespective of whether a murder is planned and deliberate on the part of any person, murder is first degree murder in respect of a person when the death is caused by that person while committing or attempting to commit an offence under one of the following sections:

(a)*section 76 (hijacking an aircraft);

(b)*section 271 (sexual assault);

(c)*section 272 (sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm);

(d)*section 273 (aggravated sexual assault);

(e)*section 279 (kidnapping and forcible confinement); or

(f)*section 279.1 (hostage taking).

Criminal harassment

(6)*Irrespective of whether a murder is planned and deliberate on the part of any person, murder is first degree murder when the death is caused by that person while committing or attempting to commit an offence under section 264 and the person committing that offence intended to cause the person murdered to fear for the safety of the person murdered or the safety of anyone known to the person murdered

Intimidation

(6.2)*Irrespective of whether a murder is planned and deliberate on the part of a person, murder is first degree murder when the death is caused by that person while committing or attempting to commit an offence under section 423.1.

Second degree murder

(7)*All murder that is not first degree murder is second degree murder.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/section-231.html

As you can see, the first degree charges may be as a result of a few possibilities.

 

[LoisLane]

Yes, that totally *doesn't* make sense that a murderer wouldn't wait for his victim to be dead and unable to ID him before scurrying off.. unless he got scared for some reason (sirens in the distance freaked him out??).

If BW did it herself somehow, that also doesn't make sense because from the sounds of it (could be misinterpreting the info though, I suppose), LE was looking around the trash for something, like perhaps the weapon.. which.. if the fatal injuries were self inflicted, should be right within her grasp or at least right nearby somewhere.

I wondered for a moment if BW could have simply had enough ability to just dial 911 from her cell.. but I believe in MSM it stated the call had been made from a woman at the address, so therefore, she must have spoken to them.... which also is strange (imho) because if perp was still present, murdering her, when she dialed 911 or whatever, (is it 911 in Calgary also??), why would he not just whip it out of her hand and hang up before she spoke.. and why would he leave her just near death and leave, rather than make sure she was dead.. no sense..

Also, how risky to break the window to gain access, no fear of neighbours hearing?? it wasn't THAT late at night that he could be certain nobody would be awake??

Definitely something big missing.

The broken window is interesting to me. She lived in a small fourplex on the lower level. It seems so risky to smash a window and risk being heard or seen. The first ideas that came to my mind was that either the door was locked and someone inside was in distress and so (if I went with the attempted suicide theory) GR smashed the glass to get to her faster because she would not answer the door. Or he did smash it in the heat of his rage to gain access and possibly planned that to be part of a staged home invasion or just part of a quick decision to committ first-degree murder?

Or was Brenda in the house and threw something thru the window? Or did a bullett go through the window?

There was also a photo of a black snow mitt that the forensics were bagging. IIRC the mitten was outside an entry door. Would mittens be hard to wear and shoot a gun at the same time?

Here is the photo of the mitten... Looks like that is the back entry of the house, also where she may park her car, take out garbage.
http://calgaryherald.com/news/crime...th-first-degree-murder-in-strathmore-homicide

It also looks like a set of golf clubs with snow on them leaning against the railing. Were the clubs used as a weapon against BW or to smash the glass? Do the golf clubs belong to GR and had BW put them outside for GR to pick-up?Were the estranged couple arguing over trivial things and finding reasons to provoke or contact one another?

Would searching garbage cans be standard protocol?