Following a lengthy cold case investigation dating back to 2006, investigators charged 47-year-old Duane Redelback on Sept. 11 in relation to the death of his common-law wife, Airdrie resident Ruth Degayo.
Redelback made his first appearance in Calgary Provincial Court on Sept. 14 before provincial court Judge Mike Dinkel, who adjourned the case until Oct. 22. Redelback will make his next appearance in Airdrie provincial court.
On Jan. 8, 2006, investigators from the Canmore RCMP detachment received a complaint of human remains found burned in an abandoned building in the hamlet of Exshaw.
“At this time, police are unable to determine the gender or age,” read a Canmore RCMP news release dated Jan. 9, 2006.
RCMP used DNA testing and determined six weeks later that the remains were that of 40-year-old Degayo. Redelback reported his wife missing prior to the test results being released.
Sgt. Josée Valiquette, spokeswoman for Alberta RCMP, wouldn’t confirm whether Redelback was a person of interest from the beginning of the investigation.
“I can’t say from the start. But at some point during the course of the investigation he became (a person of interest),” she said.
Investigators arrested Redelback in Cochrane on Sept. 11 and charged him with second-degree murder and indignity to a human body. He remains in custody.
Valiquette would not comment on the process that led to Redelback’s arrest.
“I know there are many people who have questions as to what happened and how this unfolded. Having said that, there is going to be a court case and (this is) to protect the integrity of the investigation,” she said.
Degayo and Redelback had a child together, who was two years old when Degayo went missing. RCMP could not say who currently has custody of the son.
Despite the amount of time the case spent cold – nearly a decade – investigators stressed there was no “time limit” in making sure those responsible for murder are held accountable.
“The RCMP continues to work on historical homicide, whether older or newer, we’re committed to continue these (cases),” Valiquette said.
Alberta RCMP Staff Sergeant Murray Marcichiw said he was “not in a position” to give statistics on how many historical homicide cases are currently active, noting officers do not use the term “cold case.”
“All homicides are kept open until they are cleared by (a charge) or by other means,” he said. “(We) want to stress all homicides are under investigation — we never give up on them.”
