Greg Fertuck has been found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of his estranged wife, Sheree Fertuck, over eight years ago.
Sheree Fertuck, a 51-year-old mother of three, went missing on December 7, 2015. She was last seen leaving her mother’s farm near Kenaston, Saskatchewan, around 1 p.m. CST, heading to a gravel pit where she worked. Recently, 3,113 days later, Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench Justice Richard Danyliuk concluded that Greg Fertuck confronted Sheree at the gravel pit that afternoon, shot her twice, loaded her body into his truck, and disposed of it in a rural area.
Greg Fertuck’s confession to undercover police, who posed as criminals during a sting operation years after Sheree’s disappearance, played a significant role in the case. Fertuck later recanted, claiming he fabricated the story for financial and other benefits from the fictitious criminal organization.
Sheree’s body has never been found. Justice Danyliuk’s ruling stated that Greg Fertuck went to the gravel pit prepared to kill Sheree if their conversation about finances didn’t go well, bringing a gun and heavy plastic wrap. “Greg had a considered plan in place to deal with Sheree. That it was a plan that was, arguably, contingent upon the settlement conversation going poorly does not make it any less a plan,” Danyliuk wrote. “Even if killing Sheree was Greg’s ‘Plan B,’ it was no less a plan for that fact. Once the event triggering the contingency occurred, Greg executed his plan and executed Sheree.”
First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Greg Fertuck’s formal sentencing is scheduled for July 4.
Family Reactions
Outside the court, Sheree’s sisters—Michelle Kish, Teaka White, and Glenda Sorotski—expressed relief that justice had been served. “Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. I was fully going in that he was going to be found guilty on both counts. The evidence proved all of that, and he got exactly what he deserves,” White said. Sorotski emphasized that the judgment clearly showed Fertuck’s intent to murder. “He went out there with a plan, and the judge said he executed his plan and it was very clear that he had intent to commit the murder in the first degree,” she said.
Prosecution’s Perspective
Crown prosecutor Cory Bliss highlighted the impact of Sheree’s loss. “Hard-working lady, but very important to her family and also a gregarious person, someone who loved to laugh. And I think when she was taken from this world by Greg Fertuck, the world lost a light,” he said. Bliss affirmed that the correct verdict had been reached, providing a measure of closure for her family.
Early Suspicions and Undercover Operation
Police suspected Greg Fertuck shortly after Sheree’s disappearance due to a contentious family law proceeding involving divorce and property division. At the time, Fertuck owed Sheree thousands of dollars in child support, could not access his large pension without her permission, and was in financial distress.
Cellphone records placed Fertuck at the gravel pit around the time of Sheree’s disappearance, and police found a spot of Sheree’s blood in his truck. Despite these findings, it wasn’t enough to arrest him for murder. However, it led to a sophisticated undercover operation known as Project Fisten.
Launched in 2018, the sting involved officers posing as members of a fictitious blue-collar criminal organization, building a relationship with Fertuck over 136 scenarios. The operation culminated in June 2019, when Fertuck confessed to the undercover officers, demonstrating how he killed Sheree.
The Trial
The murder trial, held before Justice Danyliuk at Saskatoon’s Court of King’s Bench, began in September 2021. It faced several delays due to various reasons, including COVID-19 and the discovery of the alleged murder weapon. Fertuck started representing himself after his lawyers withdrew in October 2022.
In September 2023, Justice Danyliuk admitted the undercover sting evidence, including Fertuck’s confession. Fertuck argued he had no reason to harm Sheree and suggested others might be responsible. He claimed he lied to the officers due to the incentives from the fictitious organization.
Final Attempts and Verdict
In early June, Fertuck applied to reopen the trial to call a firearms expert and for a mistrial, citing a recent news story about a national ballistics laboratory. These applications were formally rejected by Justice Danyliuk on June 10, clearing the way for Friday’s decision.
The judge’s detailed verdict provided a sense of closure for Sheree’s family, who continue to mourn her loss.