LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The case of a man accused of murdering a father and his young daughter in a southern Alberta mountain community has been put over to next week.
Derek James Saretzky didn't even appear in a Lethbridge court as the matter was quickly adjourned to Sept. 30.
Saretzky, who is 22, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Terry Blanchette, 27, and two-year-old Hailey.
Hailey's body was found last week in a rural area near Blairmore, a day after her father was discovered dead in their home in town.
An Amber Alert was issued across Western Canada and Montana after the man's body was found and authorities undertook a extensive search with the hope of finding the youngster alive.
Blanchette and the girl's mother, 20-year-old Cheyenne Dunbar, were separated, but the two maintained a good relationship and both cared for Hailey.
Saretzky was known to both Blanchette and Dunbar, but authorities have not disclosed why they believe the father and his daughter were killed.
