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.

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