September 28, 1994

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Charges laid in deaths of wife and twins

FORMER NORTH Vancouver resident Dean
Roberts, 26, who was formally charged
Saturday with murder by Cranbrook RCMP
following an intensive investigation by three
police detachments and 20 officers, returned
to North Vancouver shortly before his arrest.

By Robert Galster
Contributing Writer

Roberts, a former resident of the 5400-block of Nancy
Greene Way. is charged with the first-degree murders of
his wife Susan and their two mfant twins during a fire in
their Cranbrook home on July 18. Roberts is also charged
with the attempted murder of his stepson Jonathan, who
was rescued from the fire by a neighbor.

Za news conference on Sept. 26, Cpl. Brian
Barknuin of Cranbrook RCMP stated that ihe cause of
death for both Susan and Josiah Roberts was “‘asphy xia-
tion from penne He also added that the killer

used a “ligature.” or a thread or wire.

During the ensuing two-month period before his
attest, Roberts visited Vancouver on several occasions.
including a day-long layover upon his return from a trip
to Ontario where he was visiting relatives with Jonathan.

While the RCMP would not reveal where he was
arrested, Roberts did stay at the Canyon Court Motel on
Capilano Road during an earlier visit. He was flown to
Cranbrook to face charges.

Roberts attended Handsworth secondary school in
North Vancouver from September 1982 to June 1983
before transferring to Vancouver College, a catholic pri-
vate school in Vancouver.

He maintained his North Vancouver ties through his
church, Capilano Community Church. Jeff Kirby. a tor-
mer pastor at the church, gave Roberts and his then
fiancée Susan marriage counselling.

Trevor Hughes, Roberts’ former classmate at
Vancouver College is shocked by the arrest.

“He was a nice enough guy, he just didn't fit into the

See Accused page &
i

PET POISONED
Antifreeze-soaked
steak tossed into

Lynn Valley yard.

REWS photo Mike Waketleld

WEST VANCOUVER? Police Cpl. Dick Clancy convinced a deranged man to give up this
powerful rifle on Friday outside the White Spot restaurant on Marine Drive in West
Vancouver. The rifle was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition. See story page 3.

MURDER SUSPECT QOean
Roherts attended Handsworth
school in North Vancouver.

etl 2h bats

VERY DOOR ON THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1969