'He had threatened her life': Greg Fertuck’s daughter testifies she suspects he's involved in mom’s disappearance
The daughter of a man charged with murder took the stand in his trial on Wednesday afternoon.
Lanna Fertuck testified her father is violent, a drunk and often threatened her mom.
Greg Fertuck is charged with first-degree murder in connection to his estranged wife, Sheree Fertuck.
Sheree was last seen Dec. 7, 2015 leaving her family farm to haul gravel near Kenaston, Sask.
That day, Lanna said she tried to call her mom, but her calls didn’t go through.
She testified it was unusual for Sheree not to answer the phone, and even more unusual for her not to come home from work, so Lanna left Saskatoon to search in Kenaston.
On the way, she called her dad.
Greg said he hadn’t seen or heard from Sheree.
“He didn’t seem too concerned or worried like the rest of us,” Lanna testified.
The 23-year-old testified her dad said “If you ever find her, let me know.”
Sheree’s body has never been found.
At the time of Sheree’s disappearance, the couple had been separated.
Greg’s gambling, drinking, violent behaviour and disagreements about money led to the separation, according to Lanna.
She said she and her two other siblings didn’t like spending time with their dad because he would say “nasty things” about their mom, and call her derogatory names.
She said she suspected her dad “had done something” to her mom.
When the Crown asked why, Lanna responded, “My mom had no enemies. (Greg) had threatened her life multiple times. He had injured her on vacation before.”
While Sheree was missing, Lanna testified her dad was trying to access shared investments.
She said her dad would say he “owns everything, and you kids are getting nothing.”
Just weeks after Sheree’s disappearance, Lanna said something weird had happened: she and her siblings received Christmas cards from their dad — something they didn’t typically get from him over the holidays.
Lanna said her card was signed “Love, your favourite parent.”
In cross examination, the defence turned the questioning to a statement Lanna gave police about how another hauler could be involved in the disappearance, after Sheree won a contract over him.
She denied suspecting this other hauler of anything.
Defence lawyer Morris Bodnar asked Lanna if she was aware her parents had been working on reconciling. She said she was not aware.
Court heard Sheree had employed Greg to help her with hauling.
“With your mother disappearing, you’d agree your father had nothing to gain and everything to lose?” Bodnar asked.
“I don’t agree with that,” Lanna responded.
Do you have a story idea or news tip? Email us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.