Barrhead and Morinville RCMP have charged three people in connection with the disappearance of a British Columbia man.
Valentine (Val) Degenhardt was reported missing to Morinville RCMP on July 19. A resident of Salmon Arm B.C., Degenhardt was visiting Alberta. He was last seen at a gas station in Barrhead around 5:30 p.m. on July 17.
He has ties in Sturgeon County.
RCMP have charged Norman "John" Jerrett, 46, of Barrhead with first degree murder, robbery, break and enter and indignity to a dead body.
Norma McAllister, 45, of Barrhead is charged with accessory after the fact and break and enter. Carl McAllister, 29, also of Barrhead is charged with accessory after the fact.
All three have been remanded in custody to appear in Barrhead Provincial Court on Nov. 26.
Hikers found Degenhardt's 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee in a remote area off Highway 32 between Whitecourt and Swan Hills, approximately two hours northwest of Edmonton.
Degenhardt’s body has not yet been found but RCMP have now determined another specific search area.
In August, Degenhardt’s family appealed to the public for help in finding him.
Degenhardt is described as a 45-year-old Caucasian male with green eyes, brown and gray hair, with a grey goatee. He is approximately 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with white logos/writing on the front and back, knee-length shorts, and sandals.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Valentine Degenhardt are asked to contact the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4520 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers (www.crimestoppers.ab.ca) for instructions on how to do).
The Degenhardt family has partnered with Crime Stoppers to help investigators get information from the public with a reward exceeding what is traditionally offered. Tipsters can either opt for the special reward, but have to speak directly to investigators and be willing to go to court, or go through the Crime Stoppers’ process and be anonymous and eligible for a reward up to $2,000.
