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WARNING

Shernell Sharon Pierre, 26, was shot and left for dead in a burning car on March 12th, 2008.

Pierre was Edmonton's sixth homicide victim of the year.

Case status is open and active.

latest update

initial investigation
fire personnel call in police when a dead body is found inside a burning car
victim identified
police deem death a homicide and appeal for witnesses
re-enactment
Checkstop set up at murder location, motorists pulled over
timeline released
police release new details
Edmonton blogger reveals 'scoop'
provides background on victim's recent male relationships
police describe person of interest
detective confirms victim was shot first
pictures released of van of interest
public asked if they spotted full-size white 1990 Dodge Ram
police make another appeal
tips drying up says detective.
witnesses describe burning car
media talk to persons near and at the scene
Shernell Pierre remembered
co-workers and friends speak of well-loved woman
funeral held for Shernell Pierre
emotional tributes heard for well-loved woman
other recent car-related murders
investigators still dealing with three unsolved homicides

The initial investigation

At about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12th Edmonton Fire Rescue were dealing with a car fire when they discovered charred human remains lying slumped in the driver's seat.

Police were then called to the site a block south of 87th Avenue on 170th Street and an investigation began into what authorities initially termed a suspicious death.

The vehicle's hood and trunk were popped open but it remains uncertain whether that was a result of heat build-up in the car during the fire.

The busy street adjacent to West Edmonton Mall was blocked off overnight and until late Thursday afternoon as forensic staff combed a wide area.

The vehicle, with the remains inside, was towed to the medical examiner's office so that an autopsy could be performed to determine the gender, age, identity and cause of death of the person.

At least one homicide detective was on scene early Thursday morning – usual police practice when dealing with suspicious deaths. The arson and canine units were also brought in.

“Whenever it comes to these kinds of deaths where there's unusual circumstances, we'll call in whatever resources we can to aid in that investigation,” a spokesman said.

Without autopsy results available, police didn't speculate on whether the death was an accident, a murder, a suicide or something unanticipated.

“Nothing's being ruled out at this time,” the spokesman added.

Investigators theorise the car came to a stop in the curb lane just south of 87 Avenue just as – or before – it caught fire.

Resident in the area said that around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night they began hearing pops and crackles that sounded like firecrackers.

One woman said there was "a ball of flames out on the street."

"I was getting ready for bed and I heard like a – when you set off a firecracker that whizz sound of psssh – then bang," a woman named Jean told Global Edmonton.

The Edmonton Sun put the story on their front page ...

... along with their usual concise insight.

Victim identified

After an autopsy was completed Friday, March 14th police announced they were treating the death as a homicide.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Shernell Sharon Pierre. Dental records were required to confirm her identity and no was cause of death was released.

Family and co-workers said Pierre worked as a licensed practical nurse at the nearby Misericordia Hospital.

Initial indications were that the incident was not gang related nor was it believed to be random. Police also said they didn't believe any other vehicle was involved.

At a press conference held later on Friday, homicide Detective Dennis Storey spoke to media at length.

"Today, the autopsy was completed, and the cause of death is consistent with homicide," Storey said. "The victim did not die as a result of the fire."

The detective called for witnesses to come forward.

"We have a very busy road, 170th Street southbound between 11 and 11:30 at night. We have a vehicle parked to the side.

"I know for a fact that people drove by this vehicle. A lot of people saw this vehicle and it's important that you contact us and tell us what you saw when you drove by.

"We received some calls of people seeing the vehicle before the fire and some calls from people seeing the vehicle after the fire," Storey said.

"I find it very difficult to believe that people were not driving past this car when this was going on.

"Was it on fire when you went by? Was it not on fire? I'm just looking for assistance in that.

"This is horrendous what's gone on here. This crime's going to get solved with the public's help so it's time to stand up and help me out here."

Storey answered questions about the fire.

"The fire investigators told me that the flames on the vehicle probably reached thirty feet plus in the air. They found that very odd for a vehicle fire."

Storey did not say if a fire accelerant was used or if the fire was caused to cover up the murder. He spoke instead about the damage caused by the fire.

"It makes the job very difficult. It doesn't make it impossible, but it does create some difficulties because your homicide scene is completely altered and you have to approach it from a different angle and bring in different people with different specialities," he said.

Regarding suspects, the detective seemed cautious in his statements.

"All I can say at this time is that I know there was one other person in that car when this happened.

"There's an indication that whoever fled this vehicle, fled westbound into the residential area," he said.

"If you live west of where this fire occured, all the way up to 178th Street, if you've seen someone going through your neighbourhood and if there's something that you find to be suspicious in any way – just give us a call.

"Anyone that has any information, if you think it's useful or not, give me a call, let me determine how important it is."

Det. Storey had made this sort of appeal before. In January 2007 the rookie homicide investigator was handed the case of Stephane Landry.

Landry's stabbed body was found lying in a Bonnie Doon alley and despite several appeals to the public for information the New Brunswick man's death became not only Storey's first case but also his first cold case.

Re-enactment

Police set up a checkstop on 170th Street Friday evening with a vehicle similar to the 2003 Corolla and at about the same time it was seen on fire, hoping to jog witness memories.

A snowfall that started shortly after a memorial was erected (see below) continued through the evening ...

... as police pulled over motorists and handed out information flyers.

"(Pierre's) car was parked in the same spot that this car is now parked," Det. Storey pointed out.

"What we're looking for – we're asking people that are driving through this road at this time – if they were coming down this road on Wednesday between 11 and 11:30 at night.

"And if they did, did they see this car parked there and what was the condition it was in."

Investigators also canvassed the residential area close to where Pierre's car was found.

Investigators asked anyone who may have seen the southbound 2003 grey four-door Toyota Corolla on 170th Street in the moments before it became engulfed in flames to call their non-emergency line at 780-423-4567.

Police confirmed the use of a re-enactment as unusual, saying "we're hoping this will trigger someone's memory."

"In a lot of these kinds of cases, somebody just passing by may not link anything they've seen to anything suspicious, so it's often when they do find out something happened that they start connecting the dots," the spokesman said.

After the checkstop concluded the spokesman said some relevant information did come out of the tactic but police did not reveal what that information was.

"It was definitely worth their while to be out there for the few hours that they were."

Timeline released

On Saturday, March 15th police released a timeline and a few additional details surrounding the murder.

Det. Storey said it wasn't yet exactly clear how long Pierre's Toyota had been parked on 170th Street on before it was engulfed in flames – or at what point the suspect fled.

"When people call in and tell us what they saw, that's what's going to create our timeline – when they drove by there and didn't see it and when they drove by there and did," Det. Storey explained.

"Fire got the call at 11:23 p.m. and I don't believe the car was parked there at 11, so, you're talking between 11 and 23 minutes after."

Police released what they knew so far:

Pierre left the Misericordia Hospital at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday. She mostly likely used the front doors (the southwest entrance) and walked to her car.

At about 11:20 her car was found burning on 170th Street south of 87th Avenue.

On Thursday afternoon police found Pierre's purse (with contents intact) on a busy walkway near 176th Street and 87th Avenue – six blocks west of where the car was found on fire.

Investigators said the suspect likely dropped the purse in the path after fleeing the scene.

"At this point it's not believed to be a random act and now officers are tasked with trying to determine exactly what happened between the time that the victim had left her work and the time that the vehicle was found on fire," a police spokesman re-confirmed.

"I don't know how long it would have taken her to finish her shift, so that's what we need help in determining: at what point did she actually leave the hospital and did anyone see anything odd happening in the parking lot where her vehicle may have been parked," the spokesman added.

Edmonton blogger reveals scoop

As police continued with their investigation, an Edmonton-based blog called The Third Edge of the Sword posted an entry on Sunday, March 16th titled The inside scoop on that nurse in the burning car.

From the blog:

By now most of Alberta, if not the west, has heard the sad tale of Shernell Sharon Pierre, the city nurse who was murdered and set ablaze in a car to cover up evidence.

Well, I have a relatively inside scoop on the case that should reveal a little bit of information. First off, Pierre is from St. Vincent, the Caribbean island. Apparently after moving to Canada she entered in a relationship with a Jamaican man who turned out to be already married to another woman. Pierre broke the relationship off. The Jamaican man left his wife intending to be with Pierre instead, but by that time Pierre had already returned to St. Vincent, married a man from there, and brought him back to Edmonton.

Pierre apparently brought her new husband home two weeks ago. Now she's dead. Anybody want to bet more thant $0.15 that Shernell Sharon Pierre was murdered by this Jamaican man? I thought not.

Of interest to media watchers is the nature of a comment posted under the entry:

Hi there,

I'm a reporter at CTV News in Edmonton. I was just reading your comments and wondering where you heard this information about Shernell Pierre.

Please give me a call. You can speak anonymously if you want. But I think this kind of information will help police and should be known.

A cell number was given that was answered by CTV reporter Scott Roberts. One would wonder if police would learn of the reporter's findings only after watching a local television newscast.

This marked at least the second time in recent memory that the media has used the internet to solicit information while covering a homicide story.

In February 2008 Edmonton Sun reporter Brookes Merritt created a Facebook page asking for anyone interested in discussing the murder of Brianna Danielle Torvalson to contact him.

The Third Edge of the Sword blogger soon had another media person to contact should he wish to reveal his story:

Hi,

I am a reporter with the Edmonton Sun. I would also like to speak with you about Shernell Pierre.

Even if you're not interested in speaking on the record, please e-mail me at ...

and reporter Nicki Thomas provided an e-mail address.

The Third Edge blogger responded to the reporters' requests in a posting detailing the extent of his knowledge of the case.

The issue of stories and comments posted on the internet became the focus of an Edmonton Sun article written by Kevin Crush, first posted online late on March 20th and printed in their hard copy issue the next day.

Perhaps frustrated by the Third Edge blogger's refusal to speak to media, the Sun posed the question of "internet speculation" to the detective in charge of the Pierre case, Dennis Storey.

The officer said it "barely registers with investigators" and "it's all being taken with a grain of salt."

“Unless there is something of significance on there that we know nothing about, we don’t pay too much attention to it. It holds no value whatsoever. It's a lot of people voicing their opinions,” Storey told the Sun.

“If they have something of substance, then they should be calling us.”

The detective said the sensational nature of the case was likely fueling the "speculation."

“You're going to get a lot of rumors and a lot of people trying to solve this in their own head. They’re going to come up with ideas and share it and there’s no accountability for them and their comments.

"They can say whatever they like and if they’re wrong they say sorry and that doesn’t really work with us as far as criminal investigations go.”

While the detective told the Sun police don't pay much attention to the internet, statistics kept by the Last Link on the Left would suggest otherwise.

Visits to this site from the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Justice and private law firms number in the thousands per month. The visits are the result of Google searches, direct hits or references in e-mails.

Also accounting for a great deal of traffic to the Last link are visits from traditional media including the Edmonton Sun, The Edmonton Journal, 630 CHED and others.

Police describe person of interest

Late Monday evening, March 17th, police convened a press conference and announced a description of a person of interest in connection with Shernell Pierre's murder. They also confirmed earlier indications that she was shot in her car before the fire was set but the detective in charge of the investigation didn't say how many times or with what kind of weapon.

"We say gunshot wound because that's how the Medical Examiner calls it. Cause of death: gunshot wound. So, if you're shot once, or you're shot a hundred times, your cause of death is gunshot wound," Detective Dennis Storey told media.

Investigators believe Pierre was in the driver's seat of her car and was shot from the right-hand side – but couldn't say if the shooter was in or out of the vehicle when the trigger was pulled.

Police had previously hinted someone else was with the 26-year-old nurse prior to the fire and was in the vehicle with her at one point.

"It's my opinion that the person who did this was in the car with Shernell and that's no indication the car was broken into," Storey said.

At the news gathering Storey described the person who was seen at Pierre's car prior to the fire starting and who may have fled west from the scene. The detective said the description was based on tips, some gathered during the re-enactment on the site where Pierre's car was found ablaze.

"From tips received from the checkstop, we're now looking for a black male dressed in dark clothing. This is someone we definitely want to talk to," Storey said. "I would believe Shernell knew her assailant."

When asked if police had eliminated the victim's ex-boyfriend as a suspect Storey said: "No we haven't eliminated anybody actually at this point. We have interviewed her ex-boyfriend, yes."

Storey's admission confirmed elements of the blog posting referred to above. However, police neither confirmed or denied Pierre's ex-boyfriend was the person described.

But the detective said their investigation did not yield anything about Pierre's past that could have led to her murder.

"This is one person I have yet to hear one negative thing about. She was loved by everybody. She had a smile on her face and when I started interviewing these nurses they just couldn't believe that something like this could have happened to such a person ... it was just unimaginable," Storey said.

Investigators believe an accelerant was used to start the fire – but that had yet to be confirmed by arson investigators. Storey said that once the fire was set, temperatures in the vehicle would have reached 2,000 degrees Celsius.

"I can't even imagine how horrifying it would be," Storey said of Pierre's final moments.

The detective asked residents in the area near West Edmonton Mall to search their property for a gun that might have been thrown away, in addition to clothing or a dark-coloured bag that may also have been tossed.

It was earlier revealed Pierre's purse had been found on an area walkway with contents intact.

Police asked if a weapon or anything unusual was found that it not be touched and that they should be contacted immediately using their non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or online at www.tipsubmit.com - a secure tip submission web site. Investigators weren't exactly sure what kind of gun may have been used.

"Look in your front yards, look in your backyards, look in your trash," Storey asked. "We have received good tips, but there are probably more out there and they will all help."

Pictures released of van of interest

The day after police described a man of interest investigators released pictures of a van of interest.

After interviewing the person of interest in Pierre's shooting death, police seized and searched his van and again appealed to the public for information.

Detectives asked if anyone saw the 1990 Dodge Ram full-size white van pictured above in west Edmonton between the evening of Wednesday, March 12th and the morning of March 13th.

Larger images of the van can be seen here and here.

"Officers seized a white van over the weekend and they were able to do some forensic testing on it and they released that van back to a person of interest in the latest homicide," a police spokesman said.

Anyone with information about this van or the incident was urged to call police on their non-emergency line at 780-423-4567.

Police make another appeal

On March 20th police made another appeal for information in the case as tips appeared to be on the decline.

"Certainly they are not as plentiful as they were initially, but we are still getting calls," Det. Dennis Storey told the Edmonton Sun. "We accept every call and encourage them to make more phone calls."

The officer said the initial appeal also led police to some clothing but he would not discuss any details.

Several "persons of interest" had been interviewed but Storey didn't indicate if any of them were suspects. He also conceded no witnesses have been found who saw a person leaving the scene.

"Armchair" detectives suspect investigators are certain of key details but still need corroborating evidence and witnesses before being able to lay a charge.

Witnesses describe burning car

While police were investigating the scene on 170th Street on the day after the fire, media were interviewing witnesses.

“We didn’t know at the time someone was inside – there were a lot of flames and it was pretty bad,” a 20-year-old woman told the Edmonton Sun. Working nearby at West Edmonton Mall, she was among the first to arrive.

“My friend tried to get close to see if anyone was inside, but it was too hot and dangerous to get too close.

“I figured it was empty, but my friend kept saying that he thought someone was inside – but, again, it was too hot to get close enough to see.”

The woman was with a friend who had military training. They were headed home from a soccer game at about 11:25 p.m. when they spotted the growing inferno.

“My friend, who is trained to handle extreme situations, wanted to drive down to make sure everyone was safe,” she told the Sun. “We did not see anyone in the car at this point.

“The flames grew very large and by this point the car was completely up in flames ... a few minutes later a fire truck showed up.”

The woman said that other than a few people standing on a berm calling for help on cellphones no one else was around.

CTV Edmonton spoke to a resident who preferred to be identified only as Robert.

He said police examined fresh footprints heading westbound in the snow not far from the burnt car, with the tracks hopping over a fence at one point.

"Over the fence they went, whoever it was, girl, guy, I haven't got a clue," Robert said.

At the time police would not confirm whether the footprints were related to the car fire.

Shernell Pierre remembered

Family and co-workers said Shernell Sharon Pierre worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Misericordia Hospital for about two years.

She had graduated from Ross Sheppard Composite High School in 2000 and from Norquest College in 2005.

Images taken from Facebook, a popular internet social networking site, show the 26-year-old posing by the car she was later found dead in.

Two days after Pierre died in the Toyota, friends, co-workers and family members gathered briefly at the scene – a short distance from where the woman worked.

Sunflowers, a wreath and teddy bears were laid at the spot as those who knew Pierre hugged, paused for a few minutes and then left without acknowledging media.

"Who would have done this to this beautiful woman?" later wondered a fellow nurse who asked the Edmonton Sun not to use her name. "She was well loved by many of the staff."

It was learned Pierre's mother also worked at the hospital, and that she and staff recognised pictures and descriptions of Shernell's car in the news.

A spokesman for Caritas Health said management provided staff with support and counselling.

"As you can imagine this is a shock to her co-workers, and they are just trying to cope as best they can," Fran Ross said, adding "our thoughts and prayers are with Shernell's family."

"Like any large facility we use all the standard safety practices. We are fully co-operating with the police investigation," Ross said.

On Saturday, March 15th some of Shernell Pierre's co-workers spoke to media in an effort to make sure the public didn't dismiss the young nurse as simply Edmonton's latest victim of homicide.

"It's been a tremendous shock. She loved her job. She was here every shift with a smile on her face and she took excellent care of her patients," said unit supervisor Stephanie Ellis.

"She was just really fun loving, loved to joke around and put a smile on your face. She was very loyal to her friends and just had a very bubbly, energetic way about her," Ellis said.

"She had a way about her of being able to connect with people and that's half the battle. They would trust her and trust she's helping them. She was able to make them feel at ease in an area where most people aren't at ease."

Ellis spoke of how Pierre's fellow staff reacted.

"They're just starting to get their heads wrapped around the fact that she's gone. It's just been utter disbelief and shock but they've been banding together very well as a team and supporting each other.

"We just want the answers so that family and friends can have closure."

Sheli Murphy, vice-president of operations at the Misericordia, spoke of measures already in place at the health care facility.

"After hours we have several programs in place to ensure staff safety. We have cameras that pan the area on a regular basis. We have our security officers who will do safe walks – they will walk them to their car."

There was no word from police if surveillance footage had been examined.

Murphy also reflected on the impact of Pierre's death.

"They are a close team. They support each other. With something like this, you see the normal things like shock, disbelief, fear, questions. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole spectrum of emotions has been running through the staff over the last few days."

The Edmonton Journal received an e-mail from co-worker and friend Dianne Ferguson, who also attended nursing school with Pierre. She wrote that the way Pierre died will haunt her friends and family forever.

"Everyone assumed it was some gang- or drug-related crime, and to sit there and listen to people talk about the crime and the way it happened in such a discriminating and demoralizing way is something I find horrifying," Ferguson said.

"Shernell was probably the most laid-back person I have ever met. She was always joking and smiling. I seriously think that I have never ever seen a day where Shernell was not smiling or joking around. She was carefree and yet very compassionate and caring, and an amazing nurse as well. Her mom is the same way.

"She was just an amazing human being, always there for everyone and good for a laugh. She was 26 ... young and full of life."

The Edmonton Sun published a quote from a close friend of Pierre's who said many people were wondering if her killer was known to her.

"She broke up with her boyfriend about two months ago and seemed very happy," said Darshani, who asked the Sun to not use her last name.

Global Edmonton spoke to Lori Birchill, Pierre's instructor at Norquest College.

"I remember Shernell as being a very beautiful young student nurse and she always had lots of smiles – and very good with the clients ... and loved being a student," Birchill said.

Birchill trained both Pierre and her mother through the college's nursing program.

"When you know a student and you read the front page of the Journal and you see their picture and what happened – it's absolutely devastating and all the staff are absolutely sick about it."

To date, Shernell Pierre's family has declined opportunities to speak of her death, citing their need for privacy. It could be assumed their silence has significantly aided the police in their investigation.

It was reported Pierre's funeral had been delayed due to the autopsy and the needs of the investigation.

Funeral held for Shernell Pierre

On March 29th, 2008 Shernell Sharon Pierre was remembered and honoured at the West End Christian Assembly, 6215 199 Street.

The facility was packed as mourners heard tributes to the well-loved woman. Her co-workers, most dressed in hospital scrubs, lined the church foyer as her modest cream-coloured casket, decorated with a bouquet of pink carnations, was brought inside.

Shernell's mother Ishbel Cain was seen sobbing at the beginning of the service.

Her uncle Huelin Pierre, who had recently flown from St. Vincent in the Caribbean, struggled with his emotions during his speech.

"It is hard for me to be here, but with the grace of the Almighty I will make it," he said, his voice barely audible. "I still remember seeing her in the hospital for the first time, our little bundle of joy.

“You faced such a horrible death you did not deserve. You did not,” said Pierre. “You have touched lives, you have touched society. Today our souls are sad. You're no more.

“In spite of this unfortunate circumstance, we know that God will take control. God knows best.”

The gathering heard that Shernell loved to go to the beach to swim and to fish.

“Sometimes she'd be fishing all evening and had only one fish for all the hard work,” Joel Byron said. Pierre persisted and never tired of trying for a bigger catch, he said.

Pastor Mark Adams, who knew Pierre since she arrived in Canada when she was 13 years old, reflected on the nature of her craft as a licensed practical nurse.

“If you have time for her, she had time for you,” Adams recalled. “The loss that we have is permanent and it's wrong.”

Adams told those in attendance that God would draw something positive out of their loss.

"We live in a world with the juxtaposition of good and evil. Redemption can only be found in the Almighty," he said.

"She was a tough girl, physically and emotionally," he continued. "If you were a tough guy you'd have to watch out. She'd take you down a peg."

After the service, Malcolm Azania spoke to media on behalf of the family.

"We cannot think of one enemy that she ever had at anytime. We have seen Shernell blossom greatly over the past few years into a wonderful young lady. We love her very much."

Azania appealed for help in solving Shernell's murder.

"Anybody who has any information which may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the party or parties reported responsible, we beg those people to come forward," said Azania.

Other recent car-related murders

The incident recalls three other recent homicides that have taken place in cars.

On December 7th, 2007 Erin Anne Tilley, 27, was one several passengers in a car homeward bound after nightclubbing. Tilley was shot after the car stopped at a west-end intersection. A female driver unloaded her friend at a hospital after she first unloaded some her other friends. The driver wasn't injured and she wasn't talking either. Police don't believe Tilley was the intended target and they have yet to effect an arrest.

On September 4th, 2007 James Douglas Foley, 42, was stabbed to death in broad daylight near Commonwealth Stadium. Foley and his car showed signs that he defended himself against at least one attacker. Case status remains open and active.

In September 2006, popular bikini-model Lily Duong aka Lily Tran, 23, was shot in the head while driving a Mercedes near 76th Avenue and Argyll Road. Police theorise the intended target of the shooting was Stephen Anthony Pillon – out on bail after being charged with the May 2005 murder of Kenyon Joseph Gardiner.

As one local television outlet covered Det. Storey's media availability on March 14th, 2008 viewers were once again reminded of which of their reporters was attending the press conference.

See the Thomas Svekla trial for more about David Ewasuk's frequent on camera appearances.

deadmonton 2008 - shernell sharon pierre