The grey-blue house at 4824-50 Street is in a quiet residential neighbourhood near the Paddle River Golf Course.
It fronts 50 Street, while a side alley separates it from the back of the old Southside Greenhouse.
It is hard to believe this modest looking house is connected to a murder case. Yet the property and its former occupant, Norman “John” Jerrett, have been the focus of a lot of police attention since the summer.
Neighbours say they saw officers clad in special gear appearing to conduct a forensic examination of the house and yard, putting foil on windows, using swabs and ultraviolet lights. Garbage was reportedly sifted through.
“It was like watching CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) on television,” said one resident.
“This investigation has been going on a long time,” he added. “There were one or two Barrhead cops, but most were from the city. One night I counted eight undercover cops.”
In July – a few days after Valentine Degendhardt’s disappearance – a helicopter was seen searching the Barrhead area.
Officers also knocked on doors in the neighbourhood, showing residents a photo of Degenhardt and asking whether they had seen him or his vehicle.
“I remember his jeep being parked at the house,” said one woman. “I told this to the police shortly after the man was reported missing.”
As recently as the Nov. 9-11 weekend, police were seen monitoring the house.
Neighbours last week turned on their radios, TVs and Internet to learn about the grim development to what started as a missing persons story.
Although aware of police activity in the area, news about a first-degree murder charge in relation to Degenhardt’s disappearance came as a shock.
Heidi Wong, who has lived in the area 17 years, described a close-knit community, with neighbours looking out for each other.
She said she was familiar with most people in the street – except the occupant at 4824.
“We all know each other well here,” said Wong. “We keep an eye on each other’s house when someone is away.”
Wong said she was stunned at learning of the suspected murder.
“It’s a terrible thing to happen,” she said.
Last Tuesday, a Leader reporter visited 4824-50 Street. The property appeared empty, although there were signs of recent occupancy.
One of the front doors was boarded up. Next to it was a barbecue. Elsewhere in the front yard were a lawn mower and garden furniture, including chairs, a table and umbrella. Piled up by a white fence were stacks of snow-capped boxes.
At the back are a white and blue trailer and a green truck parked by a garage.
Neighbours were reluctant to speak to the media. Some spoke, but did not wish to give their names.
One man said he believed Jerrett had been living at 4824 for about three years, possibly more, and didn’t appear to have a regular job.
“I know the guy’s name was John,” he said. “I would see him around. He never seemed to travel during the day, always at night.”
Sgt. Bob Dodds, from Barrhead RCMP detachment, said local police had provided a supportive role in the investigation.
The case started as a missing persons file in Morinville, he said, before Edmonton Major Crimes Unit investigators were brought in.
Barrhead RCMP, said Dodds, helped to monitor and secure certain areas that may have been of interest.
Dodds added Jerrett was well known to police – even though people in 50 Street contacted by the Leader had little information on him.
The three accused are now in custody awaiting their court appearance.
The case has put an unwanted spotlight on Barrhead. Last Tuesday, a reporter from CBC Edmonton visited the town, speaking to residents on Main Street.
One of those interviewed was Dennis Donkers, owner of Barrhead Bakery, who spoke of a sense of shock in the community. Major crimes were not associated with friendly places like Barrhead, he said.
He likened the case to an Agatha Christie novel.
