ST. WALBURG, Sask. — RCMP are calling the deaths of a man, his wife and son — whose bodies were found in a ditch in west-central Saskatchewan on Monday — a murder-suicide.
Mounties say based on their investigation and autopsies, they have classified the deaths of Hayley Wourms, 23, and her two-year-old son Cayden as homicides.
The death of Darren Wourms, 26, has been classified as a suicide. A rifle found at the crime scene was the only weapon used in all three deaths and no one else was involved. Relatives have said Darren Wourms had been struggling with depression in the past five months.
Members of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit met with the victims' relatives in the Saskatchewan communities of St. Walburg and Assiniboia on Friday. Investigators briefed them fully on all of the circumstances uncovered during the investigation to date.
The family also had the opportunity to ask investigators any questions about the tragedy.
A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was conducted Friday morning for RCMP members and staff in the community of Turtleford, Saskatchewan. The debrief was conducted by the Health Services Unit of the RCMP, as well as the Member Employee Assistance Program (MEAP).
RCMP says an incident such as this has a ripple effect across many different communities. The RCMP would like to thank the many community members and victim services personnel in both of these communities who have provided comfort to all of those affected by this tragedy.
The Wourms lived in Airdrie, north of Calgary, but also had family connections in Saskatchewan.
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