deadmonton 2008 - the lamont double murder

"He was seeding that field and he smelled something and he went to see what it was," said Curtis Melnyk, who operates a nearby grain and cattle farm.

Thinking the smell might be coming from a dead animal, the farmer followed it into some bushes beside the field. The smell got stronger as he walked about 24 metres into the bushes and came upon a large black mass, Melnyk said.

"He thought it was a moose. He went a little farther and he saw a black sock and then he saw a person," Melnyk said. "Moose don't wear socks, around here at least."

When police arrived they blocked off Range Road 192 south of Highway 45, closing the area to traffic until late afternoon on the 31st.

"It was like Fort Knox," Melnyk said.

Later at a media briefing at the scene, Cpl. Oakes said the bodies were there for a period of time.

"It is not what we could call a fresh scene," he said. "It's going to be up to a forensic specialist to give us a more definitive timeline.

"This didn't just happen with in the last couple of days. But how far back in time, I don't know. We don't have an ability to comment on that yet."

The investigation was led by RCMP "K" Division Serious Crimes Branch, with Edmonton Major Crimes Unit, Edmonton Forensic Identification Section, an RCMP Police service dog and handler, RCMP Air Services and Fort Saskatchewan General Investigation Section and general duty members assisting.

"They're looking for anything that could be potential evidence in this investigation," Oakes said. "The old proverbial saying everything from soup to nuts that could apply in any investigation."

It was noted the area was searched by RCMP helicopter.

"What can we see from the ground?" Oakes said. "Our vision is very limited. The bird's-eye view often times in many investigations is one of great advantage."

When the media relations officer was asked how strong the odors of the bodies was he replied that there is nothing quite like the smell of a dead person.

"It's something you never forget," Cpl. Oakes said, likening it to the unpleasant equivalent of fresh-baked bread or laundry, all smells that are instantly distinguishable.

"I imagine it would affect anybody who came across a couple of bodies," Melnyk said. "But he seems to be alright it doesn't seem to be affecting him like he's traumatised or anything like that."

Melnyk also mentioned another unusual discovery that took place recently, about 1.5 kilometres away from where the remains were found.

"There was a truck found out here that was burned," he said. "It's kind of suspicious. We don't know if somebody stole it and got rid of it or what the deal was on it.

"I think we're the new dumping grounds for these people," Melnyk added, referring to the area immediately east of Edmonton where the bodies of numerous persons living high risk lifestyle have been found over the last two decades.

Neighbour Nicole Hofer said the truck fire incident took place at the end of April. She and her boyfriend came across the vehicle engulfed in flames in a field across from where the bodies were found.

"We didn't really think much about it, but then they found those two bodies, so we think it's connected," she said. "It was a random, brand-new truck on fire in the middle of a field. That doesn't happen around here."

Regarding the report of the truck, Cpl. Oakes offered little.

"That is information that I have not been advised has any link to this," he stated.

Project KARE, the task force looking into the disappearances and murders of those working in the sex trade, was advised of the discovery of the bodies but was not actively involved in the investigation.

"It's a quiet rural community. We are very tightly knit here, we know our neighbours and for something to happen like this is actually frightening," Darlene Strychar said.

"It's just awful that they could do something like this – dump the people off in the farmer's field. And for a farmer to find these people just by sense of foul smell – it's just awful."

"Well disbelief," Sid Hoculak said. "You think that something like this shouldn't happen anywhere, never mind close to home."

Mary-Ann Oshust has lived about a mile north of where the remains were discovered since 1972. She said that in recent months, she's felt uneasy in her home.

"Strange vehicles drive by, and we see people we don't know," Oshust said. "We see strangers, but who's going to go ask them what they're doing here? I don't feel comfortable any more, and my doors are locked always."

"Those (autopsy) results are really going to be critical for investigators in determining what the true nature of the investigation is and ultimately identifying who these individuals are."

Oakes said the location of the bodies and the manner in which they were discarded added challenges to the investigation process. He added that tips had come in from the public that may be of benefit to detectives.

Once the identities and the causes and times of death was established, Oakes said investigators would be able to start checking into the backgrounds of the deceased and ultimately lead police to those responsible for their death.

"On many occasions, individuals come forward and for whatever reason try to lay claim to a crime when they're not responsible," Oakes said.

"If they don't know the fine details, it makes that whole process easier for investigators to weed out the would-be confessors from those who are actually responsible. That information would be exclusively known to the person or persons responsible."

Oakes hinted at the difficulty in determining how long the remains may have been at the site.

"Obviously from the condition or state of the bodies, that process in all likelihood is being somewhat frustrated," Oakes said.

Speaking to reports the deaths were gang-related, the RCMP officer was able to offer little.

"To my knowledge that's not part of the investigation so far. Could it be in the future? Anything is possible."

Oakes acknowledged the coincidental deaths of two males was unique.

"In most cases, we are here because of a single death. Unfortunately recent history has had those as being female and in many of those cases, sex trade workers."

Oakes said investigators were trying to match post-mortem results to fingerprint records, medical records, and old photos the RCMP have on file.

"You have to be able to say in confidence that yes, this is this person. But that exercise can sometimes be complicated."

Thomas Shaughnessy grew up in Wetaskiwin, playing hockey as a youth and later becoming a journeyman electrician. He had been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 424, for 30 years.

His uncle Bill Shaughnessy told the Journal that Thomas was also an instrument mechanic, working in Yemen five weeks at a time for the last three years.

"He had an awful lot of friends here, as you can see from the crowd," Bill said of those gathered at the ceremony. "He was a happy-go-lucky guy, wouldn't hurt a fly."

Thomas Howells grew up in Red Deer and worked in an autobody shop.

Wes Wilber was friends with both men and used to drink beer with them on the weekends.

"They were my best friends, man. (Howells) would give you the shirt off his back," he told the Journal outside the church. "All of us, we were like brothers."