The Misery Machine - The Story of Terry Blanchette, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, & Hanne Meketech

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Starting point is 00:02:20 Haley Dunbar Blanchett was born in Tabor, Alberta, Canada on December 31st, 2012 to parents Terry Blanchett and Cheyenne Dunbar. She had light brown hair and warm brown eyes that always seemed full of joy. Terry and Cheyenne's relationship was far from perfect, but they worked to find compromise as they both shared a goal of giving their daughter the best life possible. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. By 2015, Cheyenne had separated from Terry for good and was moving to Edmonton.

Starting point is 00:02:53 For Haley, though, it still worked. both parents shared custody on a two-week alternating basis, but during the transition period of Cheyenne's move, Haley spent far more time with her father. Despite their differences, both Terry and Cheyenne described each other as great parents. They adored their little girl, and there wasn't a line in the world they wouldn't cross for her.

Starting point is 00:03:16 According to Cheyenne, Haley was smart, beautiful, and the greatest child ever. She never cried. She was perfect, absolutely perfect. To her father, Haley was more than just a daughter. She was his reason to grow. She transformed him into a devoted father and role model. But it all came crashing down on Monday, September 14th, 2015 when William Blanchett walked into his worst nightmare. He discovered his son's bloodied, lifeless body inside a house in the Crows Nest Pass region of southwest Alberta. As for little Haley, she was nowhere to be found.

Starting point is 00:03:54 William often babysat his granddaughter while Terry was at work, and he had done so the day before. At the time, Haley was spending five months in her father's custody while her mother was preparing to move. Following morning, William was in town and decided to drop by Terry's for a simple visit. Spotting his son's car in the driveway, he assumed the father and daughter were home, but when he rang the doorbell, there was only silence. Actually, William just shrugged it off and went to get some gas. While there, he tried texting and calling Terry, but there was still no response. That's when a sense of worry started to creep in. William decided to head back to Terry's house to check on him.

Starting point is 00:04:33 He arrived. He noticed the front door was unlocked. This wasn't unusual. Terry often left it that way, whether he was at home or even out at the park with Haley, but there was something unusual about this. William noticed that the door to Haley's room was open and Terry's comforter was lying halfway in the hallway between his bedroom and the bathroom. Even more disturbing, there was blood all over the floor.

Starting point is 00:04:57 Alarmed with a dozen possibilities flashing through his mind, William switched on the bathroom light only to be met with a sight no father should ever have to face. Terry was lying lifeless on the floor surrounded by his own blood. His body was mostly wrapped in a blanket, resting on his back between the toilet and the vanity. Additionally, there appeared to be a big cut on his neck. William rushed to his son. You thought this was your run club era. Turns out it was more of a thinking about Run Club era.

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Starting point is 00:05:50 Side and lifted him but Harry's body. was already cold to the touch and immediately went looking for Haley, but she was still nowhere to be found. At around 11, 12 a.m., William called emergency services and reported what he had found. They were also alerted that his young granddaughter, Haley, was missing. Officers from the RCMP major crimes unit in Calgary quickly took over the case and rushed the scene. What they found inside was nothing short of gruesome. There were blood smears throughout the home, beginning in Terry's own. bedroom. The trail showed that Terry had been attacked while he was in his bed and then dragged through the house up to the bathroom. Investigators also found blood stands on Haley's crib

Starting point is 00:06:33 and on her doll. This chilling detail revealed that the killer approach and kidnapped Haley with bloodied hands, moments after leaving Terry to die in a pool of his own blood. Terry's autopsy showed an even more harrowing picture of the violence he suffered. For into the medical examiner Dr. Tara Jones, his body showed 30 separate blunt force injuries along with 12 wounds from a sharp object. The skull had been fractured in multiple places, causing bruising to the brain, and disturbingly fragments of an unidentifiable black material were found lodged deep within the bone at several places. Among the most devastating wounds was what Dr. Jones described as a deep gaping cut across Terry's throat, measuring roughly 25 and a half by five and a half centimeters. The slash-severed

Starting point is 00:07:19 both jugular veins, both carotid arteries, the upper sections of the thyroid carilage, the esophagus, and even sliced into a vertebrae. The autopsy report, as described by Dr. Jones, shows that Terry was still alive after his throat was slit. This evidence just makes this case extremely disturbing. The report strongly suggests that the killer's true motive was much more than simply taking his life. There was an intention to cruelly draw out his suffering. As the Krispy Chicken sandwich from 7-Eleven, people always call me loud. And I'm like, yeah, I know. I'm crispy. Did you expect me to whisper?

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Starting point is 00:09:17 that might explain her whereabouts. By 2.14 p.m. after hours of gathering and reviewing evidence, the police confirmed what everyone feared most, that Haley had surely been abducted. That same morning, one of Terry's neighbors woke up at around 3.20 a.m. to what sounded like someone kicking the sheets of metal roofing he had stacked in his driveway. Glanced outside and noticed a white commercial van parked in the driveway of an elderly neighbor. It was strange about this as the neighbor was 85 years old and did not drive. What disturbed him more was the sound that followed. He recalled hearing the faint voice of a child whimpering, whining, screaming.

Starting point is 00:09:54 He believed the cries were coming from inside or near the van. Later, he said he thought he heard a woman seemingly trying to suit the child, though he couldn't say for certain. Or he could get a closer look, the van suddenly sped away into the night. By now, investigators realized they were dealing with a homicide and an abduction. Time was of the essence to get Haley back safely. Around 2.14 p.m. an Amber Alert was issued for her. The first went out across Alberta, but there was no sign of her in the area. The alert was expanded at about 3.15 p.m. to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the U.S. state of Montana.

Starting point is 00:10:29 At the same evening at 5.30 p.m. The RCMP held a news conference where they confirmed Terry Blanchett's death was officially being investigated as a homicide. During the Amber Alert, a dry cleaning business in Crow's Nest Pass caught something unusual. The description of van linked to the abduction matched one of the vehicles at their shop. Larry Zaretsky and his brother noticed that one of the company vans had been moved on the same day Terry Blanchett was found dead and Haley went missing. So Larry contacted the RCMP right away at around 1115 a.m. The person of interest Larry pointed to was none other than his own son.

Starting point is 00:11:08 The next day on September 15th, 22-year-old Derek Saretsky was arrested in Blairmore. The RCMP made the arrest public during a news conference held at 1 p.m. Superintendent Tony Hamori stated, that person's been arrested in association with both the homicide and disappearance of Haley. Superintendent Hamori also addressed the search for the van. We have located a white van that we believe is associated with the investigation in the area. However, it's too soon to know if it's the exact van we're looking for. The Amber Alert is still in effect with respect to locating this white van.

Starting point is 00:11:40 We are looking forward to information from the public with regard to the investigation, whether it has to do with the homicide aspect, the van, or the disappearance of Haley. As for Haley's mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, the RCMP wouldn't comment on any possible involvement she may have had in Haley's disappearance and murder. Superintendent Hymori kept it brief saying, I can't comment at this point in time. Police have been speaking with her, and obviously a follow-up investigation is going to be done on all information that we receive. At first, they didn't release the name of the man they had in custody, nor did they formally lay any charges. Still, word spread quickly that he was being treated as the prime suspect in both of the brutal cases.

Starting point is 00:12:19 Meanwhile, the Amber Alert for Haley remained active. Investigators believe she had been taken from her home around 3.30 a.m. on Monday, September 14th, 2015. On September 15th, Derek was interviewed by Staff Sergeant Michael McCauley. At first, Derek repeatedly denied any involvement in the murder of Terry Blanchett, the disappearance of his two-year-old daughter, Haley. But when Sergeant McCauley pressed him further, he finally confessed. When did the devil start telling you to do some of these horrible things? Recently. It's been just kind of taunting me, taunting me to do all kinds of stupid stuff. Usually I never do anything. I believe she's gone. She's in a better place now because God

Starting point is 00:13:03 he has his course for whatever reason or everything. Is she alive, Derek? The devil made me turn her into ashes. It's okay. It's okay. Turn her to ashes, Derek. In the bush? Let's go do that. Let's go bring her home.

Starting point is 00:13:50 Even if they're just ashes, let's bring her home, okay? Did she suffer? It'll be. He then described dismembering her in committing acts of cannibalism, saying, I ate a little bit of her heart. It made me stronger for a bit. Just a little bit.

Starting point is 00:14:08 I drained her blood. I drank most of it. He even tried to justify his actions by claiming that God told him Haley probably wouldn't have had a very good life. The truth is, she absolutely did, with a father who loved her. During the interview, Derek went on to reveal some horrifying details about how he murdered Terry. He even said he felt sorry for Haley's family. When asked why he did it, he stated, he was a terrible father. Yet to everyone who truly knew Terry, this was a far from the truth. Cheyenne, Haley's mother, consistently spoke of how great a father he was. Haley's grandfather, William Blanchett, testified that Terry loved to spend time with his daughter. Terry worked as a cook at pure country bar and grill and Frank, and he never missed a day of work.

Starting point is 00:14:53 His manager, Tammy Tracy also commented, he was a good worker and a good father. He did anything for his daughter. He loved her dearly. He was a good dad. He lived for her. Close friend named Corret Harrington confirmed this as well and called Terry an excellent father. According to her, he loved Haley very much, and everything he did he did for Haley. He was an incredible dad. He worked hard for her. Another family friend named Rebecca Harrington, who was close to both sides of Haley's family, said, your dad loves you very much, loves you more than anything in the world, sweetheart,

Starting point is 00:15:26 and we can't wait for you to come home. Rebecca even called Terry the most outstanding single dad she had ever seen, and remarked further about his dedication and love for Haley. She said, he stepped up. He had a full-time. job. He had two days off a week and those two days were for Haley. Any extra money went to her. He always put himself last. It is my very sad duty tonight to inform you that we have found the body of two-year-old Haley Dunbar Blanchette in a rural location near Blairmore, Alberta. The body was

Starting point is 00:15:59 located during a police search based on information received by investigators and their efforts to locate Haley. The location of the discovery has been secured and investigators are now working to process the scene. Haley's family has been notified and we extend our deepest condolences to the family for their loss of Haley and also for the loss of her father, Terry. This is a sad day for the investigators, the citizens of Blermore and all the Canadians who hoped Haley would be found and returned unharmed. Our goal now is to complete the investigation into Haley's death and the death of her father, Terry. We are no longer asking for the public's assistance in locating the white van that was subject of the Amber Alert earlier, seen near the Blanchet home in the earlier morning hours of Monday. The Amber Alert issued yesterday in relation to Haley's disappearance is no longer in effect.

Starting point is 00:16:55 The male suspect who was arrested in Blairmore earlier today remains in police custody for questioning, in relation to the investigation into the homicide of Haley's father, Terry Blanchette, and her disappearance. Charges are pending. Police will provide the identity of the suspect after charges are laid in these matters. At this point, the RCMP cannot provide any more information about the investigation. However, I can report the media and social media engagement on this disturbing case has been very helpful to the investigation. The next day on September 16th, Derek Saretsky was officially charged with two counties.

Starting point is 00:17:31 counts of first-degree murder and the deaths of Haley and Terry. By then, the RCMP confirmed that they believed Derek had planned the killings. His first court appearance was scheduled for September 23rd. Derek, the same man who murdered Terry and Haley, was revealed to be an acquaintance. RCMP, however, did not comment on the possible nature of their connection. And that wasn't all. Derrick had also once been close friends with Cheyenne, Haley's mother. Naturally, investigators initially suspected Cheyenne might have had some involvement one way or another, but later revelations confirmed that Cheyenne had absolutely no part in the murder. Regarding her connection to Derek, Cheyenne explained that they had been good friends years ago.

Starting point is 00:18:13 Cheyenne said, it tears me apart knowing friends would do something like that. She further added that she hadn't been in contact with Derek in three years. Moreover, Cheyenne was unaware of any kind of connection between Derek and Terry, as she said, I didn't even know they knew each other. Cheyenne later testified that she first became friends with Derek when Haley was around three months old. Over the next five months, they would see each other a few times a week. When asked whether Haley was present during those visits, Shian admitted a couple of times yes. Now, on the other hand, Derek claimed that he had dated Cheyenne after Haley was born but said that he ended the relationship.

Starting point is 00:18:51 When asked if he felt like Haley's stepfather, he shrugged and replied, kind of, I guess. On September 23rd, Derek was rushed from the Lethbridge Correctional Center to the hospital after a failed attempt to remove himself from this earth. Fort State, he was alone in the shower when he did so. Guards discovered him and he was immediately transported to the Chinook Regional Hospital and Lethbridge for treatment. October 28th, the court ordered Derek to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment to determine whether or not he was fit to stand trial. November 25th, the Lethbridge court officially ruled that Derek was indeed mentally fit. However, during the investigations, Derek repeatedly tried to shift the blame onto paranormal forces, claiming things like the devil was controlling him or that God told him to do it.

Starting point is 00:19:35 It also pointed to the antipsychotic medication Syracill, which he had stopped taking as part of his justification. He expressed regret in a later interview and said he wished that he hadn't done it. But that's not all. There was a third murder link to Derek Saretsky. This victim was 69-year-old Hannah Mechatech, which found dead in her home on the morning of Wednesday, September 9. 2015. On September 15th, Corporal Brian Fitzpatrick indicated that Derek had become a person of interest in Hannah's murder. McRown asked why, he replied, it was simple, the blunt force trauma to Terry Blanchett and the stab wounds. The poor elderly woman had suffered five blunt force injuries to the head,

Starting point is 00:20:13 two stab wounds to the neck and a superficial neck cut. Derek became an official suspect on September 24th, and another officer sent Corporal Fitzpatrick a photo of a list from his apartment. The list had the words medicine fresh at the top, followed by several crossed out lines. Hannah, sleepers for the dogs, shy, Terry, and the hideous baby. When questioned about tests ordered from Hannah's autopsy, including an essay kit, which returned negative results, Corporal Fitzpatrick explained, it didn't make any sense to me why this woman was killed. I thought it could have been actually motivated.

Starting point is 00:20:47 It was also questioned about fingernail clippings collected from Hannah. After speaking with people who knew her, police learned that she had a fiery personality. He added, Hannah wasn't going to go down quietly. She fought back, and I think she really came out swinging. On March 2nd, 2016, Derek explicitly admitted to killing Hannah. Officially, he was charged with her murder on April 20th. During interview with Sergeant McCauley, Derek described breaking into the woman's home, striking her on the head with a baseball bat and stabbing her.

Starting point is 00:21:15 Sergeant asked, was it practiced for the next one a little bit? Derek replied, yeah, I guess so. Sergeant McCauley continued, and so did you plan to do the other two all along, but you wanted to get the courage for them by doing this? Derek admitted, I guess so. On June 19, 2017, Derek's aunt provided testimony that proved to be significant in the trial. Carmelia Saretsky recalled being surprised to see her nephew at church

Starting point is 00:21:41 on September 8, 2015, as it was the first time that she had seen him there in years. She described the encounter. He was sitting near the candles slouched down. He had a big smile. very happy to see me, but it quickly turned to sorrow and sadness. He looked lonely. He was shaking. She recalled that she invited Derek to supper at her home, but she observed that he just

Starting point is 00:22:04 wasn't himself. She noted that he would occasionally blurt out incriminating things that they couldn't make sense of. She said that she encouraged her nephew to go to the police and turn himself in, asking if what he had done was so serious that he could go to jail. Derek reportedly replied, not unless they figure out it's me. For context, this was in reference to the murder of three people. The following day, Carmelia saw Derek again at church. She took him out for coffee and then drove him to a rural property her family owns with her two sisters, roughly seven kilometers from Blairmore. The family refers to this property as the ranch. Carmelia recalled that Derek wandered around the property and showed particular interest in the woodpile near the fire pit.

Starting point is 00:22:47 were into an agreed statement of facts. Carmelia's son contacted police on September 15th after discovering that the fire pit was still smoldering. It was at this location that Haley Blanchett's remains were found. The cause of death could not be determined due to the severe burning of her remains. On June 28th, 2017, a jury found Derek guilty on all counts. Three counts of first-degree murder and one count of committing an indignity to human remains. The jury reached its verdict after just over three hours of deliberation. On August 9th, Justice William Tillamon sentenced Derek to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 75 years. On November 24th, 2020, Derek appealed his conviction, but the Alberta Court of Appeals unanimously rejected his application and upheld

Starting point is 00:23:36 the original verdict. The community of Coleman, Blair Moore, and the wider Crowsnest Pass region came together to mourn the loss of Haley Dunbar Blanchett, Terry Blanchett, and Hannah In September 16, 2015, a candlelight vigil was held in Fernie at Rotary Park, where residents gathered to honor Terry and Haley. Additionally, a public vigil was held in Blairmore where RCMP victim services confirmed the discovery of Haley's remains. The father and daughter were laid to rest in October 9, 2015, the private service planned for the morning and a public service later in the day in Coleman, loving both family and the wider community to pay their respects. Hannah Mechatech, a 69-year-old woman from Coleman who lived alone, was remembered for her kindness and love for animals and children.

Starting point is 00:24:21 The GoFundMe campaign was organized to assist with her funeral expenses, raising $4,510 Canadian dollars. Funeral arrangements for Hannah were handled by the Fenton's funeral chapel, the same chapel that served Terry and Haley. The loss of these three lives devastated the community, yet residents choose to honor the memory of Haley, Terry, and Hannah, and by the whole. horrors of Derek's crimes, but by celebrating the joy, love, and impact that they brought into the world.

The Misery Machine - The Story of Terry Blanchette, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, & Hanne Meketech

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