Airdrie resident Hunter van Mackelberg has been convicted with second degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Kalix Langenau, whose body was found southeast of Airdrie on Feb. 17, 2020
Justice Glen H. Poelman read out his reasoning and the final ruling on Feb. 22, following an earlier judge-alone trial that took place in October and November 2021.
Poelman stated there was clear evidence that van Mackelberg showed animosity toward Langenau prior to his death and that cellphone and forensic evidence placed him at the scene of the crime the night Langenau was shot in the back of the head with a shotgun.
The following day, van Mackelberg returned two firearms to Calgary with the instruction not to let police have them.
Justice Poelman accepted testimonies from two individuals, who said van Mackelberg confessed his crime to them after Langenau was found. The individuals said van Mackelberg provided details of how Langenau was killed, which was not publicly released at that time.
“Not all questions about the case have been answered, which the defence properly points out,” Poelman said.
“However, many criminal cases cannot answer questions on every detail and the Crown is not obliged to do so to meet its burden of proof. On the evidence before me, I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Hunter met Kalix at the secluded property and murdered him by firing his shotgun at the back of his head.”
The case will return to Criminal Appearance Court on March 4, at 8:30 a.m., where victim impact statements will be heard and a sentencing hearing will be set.
More to come.
