Jeremy Starblanket. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Preliminary hearing date set in Starblanket murder case

Jun 15, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Nearly 15 months after a man’s body was found in a burnt out Prince Albert home, the subsequent court case is moving closer to trial.

On Wednesday, a preliminary hearing date of Nov. 2 was set aside for Loretta Lynn Sakebow. She is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Jeremy Starblanket.

The case dates back to March 20, 2021. Residents in the area of the 500 block of Fifth Street East, reported hearing an explosion and several popping sounds then saw a bunch of black smoke.

A picture taken at the time of the fire. (Submitted)

The Prince Albert Fire Department later confirmed the single family bungalow was found fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived at 1:38 p.m.

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It was found that an explosion had blown the building off the foundation and then ignited.

During the investigation, Starblanket’s body was found in the remains of the home. A Canada-wide warrant was later issued for the arrest of Sakebow, and she was located by Prince Albert police on July 28.

Sakebow, who also goes by the name “Lynda”, has ties to Pelican Lake First Nation, Ahtahkakoop First Nation, Witchekan Lake First Nation and Prince Albert.

The purpose of the hearing in November is to determine if the Crown’s evidence is strong enough for the case to go to trial which due to the nature of the charge, would later follow at Court of Queen’s Bench.

Friends of family of Starblanket, who was an accomplished athlete in high school, have previously said he expressed a desire to turn his life around and make amends to people he had wronged.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell