Paul Rudan
Campbell River Mirror
CAMPBELL RIVER—A Hanson Island man accused of killing his wife has also been charged with committing an indignity to a human body.
Charges against Traigo Andretti, 37, were revised during his first court appearance Monday in Campbell River.
Andretti was initially charged with second degree murder of his 41-year-old wife, Jennifer McPherson, but that has now been upgraded to first-degree murder. He is also charged with committing an indignity to a human body.
“This is news to him,” said Crown prosecutor Bruce Goddard.
Andretti is in custody at the Vancouver Island Regional Correction Centre in Victoria. He appeared by video in Campbell River provincial court and told the judge he’s looking for a lawyer.
Andretti even smiled and waved to his mother and brother who were seated in the courtroom gallery.
He’s also at the centre of an investigation in Winnipeg where the remains of a missing woman, Myrna Letandre, were found in a rooming house where the two apparently lived together.
She had been missing since October 2006, but her remains were not discovered by authorities until after Andretti’s arrest in B.C.
McPherson was reported missing on May 1, from Hanson Island where she and Andretti were the caretakers at Pacific Outback Resort. Her remains were discovered last week which led to Andretti’s arrest.
During a brief court appearance on Monday afternoon, Andretti told Judge Peter Doherty he had expected to be in Campbell River and wants to appear in person for his next court date.
The judge gave him two weeks to get a lawyer. Andretti is due back in provincial court on May 27, although a bail hearing will likely be held in B.C. Supreme Court.