Local RCMP Report on Sudden Death

At approximately 4:20 a.m. on November 2, 2016, Kindersley RCMP received a complaint of a stolen semi from a farm yard in the rural area north of Kerrobert. The complainant provided a description of the stolen semi and suspect as well as the direction of travel. A short time later a complaint was received by Kindersley RCMP of a sudden death at a residence in Kerrobert. Members attended the residence and located the deceased adult male who has been identified as Johan KLASSEN Sr, a 53-year-old male from Kerrobert. (Investigators have confirmed the age of the deceased to be 53, not 56 as originally released.)

Investigators determined the death was suspicious and identified a person of interest. The description of the person of interest matched the description given for the individual associated with the semi theft.

Kindersley RCMP members immediately began searching for the stolen semi and requested assistance from neighbouring detachments. The semi was quickly located stuck in a slough near the Alberta border, northwest of Luseland, in the RM of Heart’s Hill. The semi was in approximately 4 feet of water, about 30 metres from shore. The adult male inside the semi would not exit the semi. Members immediately contained the scene to ensure police and public safety and the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team was deployed to the scene to assist.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., an adult male was safely taken into custody and the travel restrictions in the area were lifted.

On November 3, Johan KLASSEN Jr (DOB: 1990-09-13) of Kerrobert was charged with one count, second degree murder, section 235(1) of the criminal code. He will make his first court appearance on November 4, 2016 in Saskatoon Provincial Court at 9:00 a.m.

The investigation is ongoing with the assistance of RCMP Major Crimes Unit – South; Saskatoon and North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Sections; and Regina, Saskatoon, and North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Sections.