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630 CHED newsreader Warren Henderson, pictured here with his wife Grace, had severe heart problems largely due to diabetes.

I would visit Henderson in hospital often, especially after he had a leg amputated.

Henderson wanted updates on certain crime stories, in particular the Landon Karas and Michael White cases.

Once the White trial was all over, it was our plan to put together a one-hour radio documentary on my dealings with Michael White, including any evidence that I had uncovered.

I once promised Henderson, who used to say good reporters aren't in bed with the police, that I'd work hard to find out what happened to Liana White.

Henderson said, reassuringly, "If anyone can do it, you can."

We met once met for dinner at the ABC Country Restaurant on Gateway Boulevard, just north of the Whitemud.

Henderson's heart was so weak he laboured to walk from his vehicle to our booth in the restaurant. And once he sat down, he couldn't talk for a moment or two. He was out of breath.

630 CHED's Assistant News Director was keen to discuss the White case, especially the police evidence.

Henderson was fascinated that Edmonton police told members of the White search team exactly where to look for Liana's body.

He raised his eyebrows when I said there was conflicting evidence as to whether or not Liana's body was covered by branches.

"Isn't that something?" he said.

During a time when I was driving Henderson's truck (Henderson was a passenger) my cell phone went off.

It was Michael White calling from the Remand Centre.

I passed the phone to Henderson and the two talked for a while. Henderson didn't share much about what White told him. I later asked White about it, but he didn't seem to want to elaborate.

It took Henderson more than 10 minutes to walk out of the restaurant.

It took him another 10 minutes to make it to his truck. Henderson's heart was so weak he lost his balance and fell against me. I struggled to keep him on his feet. It wasn't easy; he was a big guy.

Henderson finally reached his vehicle where he again struggled to keep his balance, slowly making his way from the back of the truck to the driver's door.

A woman noticed the difficulty we were having and she came over to offer help.

I told her, "He'll be okay. I keep telling him not to drive when he's hammered, but he doesn't listen."

Henderson sat behind the wheel and caught his breath.

He smiled, we shook hands and called it a night.

Five minutes later, Henderson wheeled out of the ABC Country Restaurant parking lot, on his way to his new home on an acreage somewhere west of Devon.

Just days later, I saw Warren Henderson again. He was in a coffin in a small church in Devon. I walked up to him to say "Goodbye and thanks for the support."

It was often me leaning on Warren, not the other way around.

Henderson died on February 28th, 2006 of a heart attack while attending a movie theatre on the south side.

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deadmonton - michael white - the untold story - 27