Man charged 16 years after Calgary musician shot in his home

A man has been charged with second-degree murder 16 years after a Calgary musician was found shot in his northwest home.

Paul Hepher, 50, was described as an amateur musician who lived a relatively quiet life and had no criminal history. The same was said about Terrance Wardale, 61, a man who police believe killed Hepher over money issues.

On March 4, 2001, the Calgary Police Service was called to the 500 block of 19 Ave. N.W. where they found Hepher dead in his basement suite. DNA was found at the scene, but it didn’t have a match.

More than a dozen suspects were identified during the span of the investigation, but it wasn’t until 2014 that officers narrowed their list down to Wardale by getting a hold of his DNA.

“Of the 16 years and the multiple operations there [were] several investigative strategies utilized to move the case forward and obtain the DNA, but it wasn’t a matter of a database match,” said Insp. Don Coleman.

Police began searching for Wardale and 22 months later, they arrested him in Sherwood Park, outside of Edmonton.

Insp. Coleman explained Wardale has been living a low-key life with a major burden on his shoulders.

Police have spoken to Hepher’s brother about the arrest and said he’s taken a lot of comfort in knowing the murder case is ending. CPS also said its homicide investigators are satisfied.

“But that satisfaction for investigators comes from being able to provide closure to the families,” explained Insp. Coleman. “In this case, Mr. Hepher’s family, for 16 years, didn’t know what happened or who did it. And now they do.”

Wardale was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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