Saskatoon police release new video in homicide investigation

CTV News

a day ago

Police are hopeful that somebody in one of those videos is key to figuring out who murdered 66-year-old Harvey Zoerb, who lived in a nearby group home because of a mental illness. (Source: Saskatoon Police Service)
One year after 66-year-old Harvey Zoerb's death in a Fairhaven park, Saskatoon police have released a new video in a bid to gather information and identify the suspects responsible.
Releasing this type of video at this stage in an investigation is not common for police.
'We're hoping to gather some tips, some information, maybe some witnesses that we currently don't know exist, come forward, maybe some witnesses that we've already spoken to,' Sergeant Matt Ingrouille with the Saskatoon Police Service's homicide unit told CTV News.
The detective on the case says the video is being shared because the violent nature of the attack and the amount of blood involved mean police are hoping the footage might jog someone's memory.
'If anybody can think of somebody who mentioned seeing something, somebody having to change their clothes, blood-soaked clothes or wash their hands - having a sense of urgency,' he said.
The new video shared has footage from numerous security cameras in the area because there was a lot of activity that night and early morning.
Saskatoon police release new video in homicide investigation
The new video shared has footage from numerous security cameras in the area because there was a lot of activity that night and early morning. (Source: Saskatoon Police Service)
Police are hopeful that somebody in one of those videos is key to figuring out who murdered the 66-year-old, who lived in a nearby group home because of a mental illness.
'I do think that it's reasonable for us to suspect that our person of interest or our suspects are somewhere contained in this video footage,' Ingrouille said.
The one area that didn't have cameras was the playground area, which the detective says could've made all the difference in finding who killed Zoerb.
The video also shows a drawing of the weapon found at the scene. It was a metal bar, which was taken to scientists at the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan to analyze.
'Nothing is off the table. There is no technique that I am unwilling to try. We will do whatever it takes to try to solve this case.'
Meanwhile, the president of the Fairhaven Community Association admits once this crime is solved, the neighbourhood will be a little more at ease.
'I noticed the park is not being used anymore. There used to be kids in here all the time, and the ballparks over here are dead. They're probably the nicest ballparks in the city, and they're not being rented out,' Fred Graver said.
Since the video was released Tuesday night, Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has received numerous calls about the case.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Saskatoon police or crime stoppers.