Investigators released an update on the investigation into a house fire near a central Alberta community in early December, they said the blaze was deliberately set, and the deaths of two people found after the blaze was homicide.
Emergency crews and police were called to the fire between 7 and 8 a.m. Sunday, December 8 – crews arrived at the rural home, located just outside of Castor, Alberta, to find the home engulfed in flames and three people unaccounted for.
It took investigators several days to be allowed access to the charred remains of the home, as it took some time for crews to declare the fire out.
Later on, investigators said the remains of two people found after the fire was out had been confirmed to be Gordon Klaus, 61, and Monica Klaus, 40 – the remains of a third individual, Gordon Klaus’ wife Sandra, have not been found.
On Thursday, RCMP said the deaths of Gordon and Monica were homicide, and although Sandra’s remains had not been found, investigators said it’s believed she was also a homicide victim.
Police also said in addition to those deaths, investigators had determined the family dog had been shot dead at the scene as well.
The cause and origin of the fire is still under investigation.
Investigators said on December 11, police found a white truck that had connections to the Klaus farm – the vehicle was located abandoned at the intersection of Highway 36 and Township Road 400. It’s believed the vehicle was used by the people responsible for the deaths, to flee the scene.
RCMP are asking anyone with information on the fire to call the RCMP Calgary Major Crimes Unit at 403-699-2655 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
