Editor's note: this story contains graphic descriptions of a crime scene. Discretion is advised. Despite a massive search following the disappearance of Alvin and Kathy Liknes and their grandson Nathan O'Brien, an affidavit filed by Det.
Editor's note: this story contains graphic descriptions of a crime scene. Discretion is advised.
Despite a massive search following the disappearance of Alvin and Kathy Liknes and their grandson Nathan O'Brien, an affidavit filed by Det. David Sweet on June 30, 2014, suggests police officers believed the victims were “ likely murdered” upon discovering the bloody state of the Calgary residence where the three were last seen.
“ I believe on reasonable grounds that the (Liknes couple) and five-year-old Nathan O'Brien have been victims of a violent attack, have been taken against their will and are likely murdered,” Sweet wrote in the affidavit.
Police were called to the Calgary residence, located at 38A Ave. S.W., by Jennifer O'Brien, Nathan's mother, at approximately 10 a.m. on June 30, 2014. Jennifer had left her son with her parents for a sleepover the night prior.
“ The complainant, Jennifer O'Brien, stated she had just arrived home to the (residence) and there was blood everywhere,” Sweet wrote. “ (She) went on to report that her mom, dad and son were not in the house and that she thought they may have been murdered.”
Upon arrival at the residence, officers discovered “ blood throughout the residence,” including two bloody drag marks that “ were consistent with a person(s) being dragged out the side door of the home and then north along the residence's sidewalk.”
“ Officers also located a dumbbell with blood staining on it located in a corner of the garage and bloody footprints leading into the garage,” Sweet wrote.
Small amounts of blood were found near the front door and in the kitchen, and “ significant amounts” of blood were found in the spare bedroom and master bedroom. A pool of blood was also found in front of the attached single garage.
Jennifer O'Brien was standing outside in the front yard when officers arrived. She told police her parents had an estate sale on June 29 and were moving to Entwhistle, Alta.
“ While at the residence (Const. Tim) Callaghan was present when Rod O'Brien (Jennifer O'Brien's husband) arrived, (and) heard a conversation between Rod and Jennifer,” Sweet wrote. “ During this conversation, (Callaghan) heard Jennifer say that it was a murder and that they took the bodies out and took the sheets and everything.”
Following the discovery, Calgary police launched a massive search of the area, including the Airdrie-area home of Douglas Garland's parents.
Garland was questioned on July 5 and arrested on July 14. The bodies of the victims have not been found.
Contents of the search warrant are coming to light now after an order sealing the document expired last week and was not renewed.
On May 27, a Provincial Court judge ruled Garland would face three first-degree murder charges in connection with the case. A publication ban is in place on evidence heard during the preliminary hearing.
A trial date will be set for Garland when he appears in Court of Queen's Bench on July 31.
