Hey, Mike here. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to dark poutine early and add free on Amazon music included with prime. Welcome back to dark poutine. I am Mike Brown and sick with COVID. Here I am. Can you believe, Mike, I managed, you know, we were talking about this before we started. I never get sick. No, never. No. And I got COVID after all these years. I've never had it. And I got it a day before my birthday. That is so lame. So I'm going to be probably a little bit more quiet, which, half the listeners will probably appreciate in this episode. Well, I appreciate you showing up, buddy. This show must go on, my friend. The views, information, and opinions expressed during the dark poutine podcast are solely those of the producer and do not necessarily represent those of curious cast. It's affiliate global news, nor their parent company, chorus entertainment. Dark poutine is not for the faint of heart or squeamish. Listener discretion is strongly advised. We're not experts on the topics we present, nor are we journalists. We're two ordinary Canadian schmucks chatting about crime and the dark side of history. Let's get to it. Put on your to grab yourself a double double and an enamel bar. It's time to scarf down some dark poutine. You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining at your own cost. All equipment needed to listen to dark poutine. Dark poutine can be addictive. Side effects may include, but not be limited to, pausing and questioning the system. Elevated heart rate, pondering humanity, odd looks from colleagues as you laugh out at work. Family members, not into true crime, worrying about you. Positive side effects may include some perspectives and opinions that you disagree with, as well as some wokeness and empathy. If you don't think dark poutine is for you, consult your doctor immediately. [Music] [Music] Shari Furtuck, a 51-year-old businesswoman, mother of three and grandmother from Saskatchewan, disappeared on December 7, 2015 after leaving her family's lunch gathering at her mother's farm in Kenasten to return to work at a nearby gravel pit. The next day, her abandoned gravel truck was found in the pit with her belongings inside, raising immediate concerns about her unexplained disappearance. Despite extensive ground searches by her family, friends and the police around the gravel pit and other locations, no trace of Shari Furtuck has ever been found. RCMP and Shari's family believe she was abducted or worse, murdered. As the weeks and months pass with no sign of Shari, suspicion fell on her estranged husband, Gregory Mitchell Furtuck, 62. The pair had been going through a contentious divorce for some years. The RCMP undertook an undercover operation to acquire a confession to Shari's murder. Due to legal challenges and COVID restrictions hampering proceedings, it was not until June 2024 that this case was finally resolved. This is dark poutine, episode 324. What happened to Shari Furtuck? Shari Furtuck was a strong, self-sufficient, industrious woman and devoted parent who worked long hours and was said to be entirely dependable. Some described her as a tough customer. She grew up in the rural village of Kenasten, Saskatchewan. Kenasten sits neatly between Regina and Saskatoon within the rural municipality of McCraney #282. It lies along Highway 11, Louis Riel Trail, at the junction of Highway 15 and 19, roughly halfway between Regina, around 150 kilometers southeast, and Saskatoon around 150 kilometers northeast. The village is located in a scenic area of Saskatchewan within the rolling Allen Hills region. Its history dates back to the early 20th century. The nearby Whitecap Dakota First Nation is part of Saskatchewan's indigenous tourism corridor, offering cultural experiences and education about indigenous history and traditions. Originally known as Bonnington Springs in the District of Asinaboya, Northwest Territories, the settlement was established in 1902 when the Saskatchewan Valley land company, led by wealthy Americans, purchased vast tracts of land from the railway. They employed aggressive advertising tactics, attracting hundreds of settlers between 1902 and 1910. After Saskatchewan became a province in late 1905, the village's name was changed to Kenasten, honoring F.E. Kenasten, the vice president of the Saskatchewan Valley land company. The village was incorporated in 1910 and businesses like stores, hotels and grain elevators quickly emerged to serve the growing population. Additionally, the area of Kenasten and Bladworth saw settlements of people of Croatian origin, starting in 1904, with families like Pavlovitch, Perpik, Masoch, and Tomlienovitch establishing homesteads there. These settlers came from villages in Croatia's coastal mountain range, forming one of Canada's largest rural Croatian communities at the time. A consummate debater, Sherry initially attended university after high school to become a lawyer, but soon returned home disillusioned. At the age of 18, she obtained her semi-truck driver's license to help with her family's concrete and gravel crushing company, M&S ReadyMix, run by her father, Michael Saratsky. Sherry was described as a big, strong, muscular woman from years of physical labor hauling gravel and doing other strenuous work for the family business. You know, it's interesting to see that she was going to go to uni for to be a lawyer, but then returned to the family business. I actually do know people that have done that. I know so many people in my life who studied one thing, but if their families had family businesses, they just ended up working for the families. There's a few that I know. Yeah, I think there's maybe, if something's in the family, it's probably a stronger calling in a lot of ways. Yeah, like my buddy Peter became a plumber because his dad was a plumber. Yeah, but if there's a business owned by the family, right, it's like gotta keep it going. You know, dad or mum created it, you know, grab her grandma, right? After her father died in 2010, Sherry took over M&S ready mix handling the business transactions and bids while her brother Darren oversaw the gravel crushing operations. Despite her tough exterior from hard work, Sherry loved light-hearted activities, too. Being a fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders team, she loved to talk about football and followed her team closely. In 1991, she married Gregory Greg Mitchell Furtuck, who worked for the Canadian National Railway. They had their honeymoon in port of a yard of Mexico. Sherry and Greg had three children together, Lucas, Lauren, and Lana, settling in Saskatoon. Although on the outside, things appeared normal. Behind closed doors, there was trouble in the Furtuck home. The Furtuck children later spoke of violent episodes within their home thanks to Greg's excessive drinking and gambling. In November 2010, Sherry had gone to the police after an argument with Greg, during which he had been drinking heavily and threatened to kill her. She reported that Greg had become enraged when she took away one of his handguns. Court records from 2011 showed another serious altercation where Greg assaulted Sherry at their family home. This incident led to Greg pleading guilty to multiple charges, including assault and possession of prohibited firearms. Despite the severity of the charges, Greg received an absolute discharge after completing a domestic violence program, which meant no conviction was registered on his record. Another woman failed right there. Yeah, the system definitely failed, Sherry. Domestic violence program. Do you think they're getting a bunch of guys into room going, "It's bad. Okay, it's going to stop them from doing it." I don't know. I've never had to attend one. I mean, I was an angry person. I probably should have attended some anger management way back in the day. Who knows if it's helpful or not, but you never really hear about the cases that it actually does do some good? Greg Furtuck's violent tendencies and heavy drinking were well known within their community. People who interacted with him frequently noted a stark difference in his behavior when he was sober versus when he was drinking. Greg was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it came to booze, while sober he was described as quiet and decent, but alcohol would turn him irritable and aggressive. As their marriage deteriorated, Greg Furtuck told people it was all Sherry's fault, telling them not to believe her kind and friendly demeanor. He claimed that what went on behind closed doors was another matter. Sherry and Greg filed for separation in 2011 and the fight over family assets began as the couple worked toward dissolving their marriage. Sherry's lawyer Tammy Hackell represented Sherry in her family law litigation with Greg Furtuck. Hackell noted that Sherry was down-to-earth, practical, and steady unlike many other family law clients. She had no concerns about Sherry's mental health or stability. Sherry had initiated the court action against Greg, but wanted to work things out directly with him to avoid legal expenses. Her petition included a divorce claim but not spousal support. One of Sherry's concerns was that Greg had to repay a $50,000 loan which he'd taken and she didn't want any part of it as it would affect the family home she wanted to keep for her children. In May 2012, Sherry informed her lawyer that she and Greg had reached a deal on child support but he later reneged. A child support order for $871 per month was obtained in June 2012 and Greg's wages were garnished due to non-payment. By 2013, the issue had been referred to the maintenance enforcement office as Greg had not been paying voluntarily. Sherry's family property division claim included an unequal division due to the $50,000 loan agreement and some exemption claims for pre-existing property. Tammy Hackell mentioned that Sherry did not always follow her advice. At one point, Greg's lawyer requested $15,000 from his Lira retirement account which required Sherry's permission. Despite Hackell's advice to agree, Sherry refused, insisting that Greg should not receive any money until the overall property matter was resolved. This litigation was not settled until September 2018, years after Sherry had disappeared. Despite all the trouble at home, Sherry built her business over the years, even after their separation, she occasionally hired Greg Furtuck, now retired from CN after 30 years, to assist at the gravel pit despite their troubles. In 2015, Sherry landed a great contract. It was close to her mother's farm in Canastan, so although the family home was in Saskatoon, Sherry could occasionally stay at her mother's house. Blair's fertilizer, an agricultural company, was constructing a facility near Hanley. Martin Coyle, the project manager for Text Canada Logistics, said initially, there were rough estimates of the gravel needed. Sherry was one of the bidders and persistently pursued the contract, competing with a contractor named Jeff Sagan. Sagan initially won for a better price, but lost the contract after disputes over the amount of gravel delivered. The contract was then awarded a Sherry upsetting Sagan. While there were rumors about her dispute with Sagan, Martin Coyle did not ever see it. Sherry began operations in August 2015. She consistently supplied good quality gravel and met project demands by hiring more trucks and drivers, including Greg Furtuck. She delivered four to six loads daily. Coyle's last interaction with Sherry was on December 3, 2015, and everything seemed normal. Sherry was strictly business and did not discuss her personal life. She was a hard-working, shrewd manager and good operator who stood by her word and expected the same from others. She's just one solid woman. I don't want to do stereotypes, but this is a very sort of prairie sort of person. Solid, dependable, get shit done, no sort of frivolousness around it. There's real strength in the prairies that I find. December 7, 2015 began as a normal day for Sherry Furtuck. She woke up, got ready, and went to work. Her family last spoke with her around lunchtime. However, she missed evening appointments and did not drop off her final loads of gravel for the day. When family members tried to call her, she did not answer or return to her mother's farm as expected. This caused her family, of course, to become concerned. The next morning, Sherry's mother Julianne and Sherry's youngest daughter, Lana, went to the gravel pit. They found Sherry's semi-unit with the lights on and the keys in the ignition. Her jacket and cell phone were in the cab, but there was no cellular service in the gravel pit. Everything else seemed normal, with no signs of a struggle or accident, yet Sherry was gone. This behavior was completely uncharacteristic of Sherry. She was known to be highly responsible and never disappeared without a word, and it didn't make sense for someone to wander off without a jacket during the winter in Saskatchewan. If Sherry had left on her own volition, she would have turned off her truck's lights and taken her keys and phone. Her family called the police to report Sherry missing. Lana, who'd gone to the pit with her grandmother that day, later said she immediately thought her dad was responsible in some way. That says a lot if your kids are thinking you're responsible immediately. Of course, I felt bad for Sherry, but Sherry's gone now and it's her kids, right? There was no reason for Sherry to walk off without a word. Numerous witnesses, including her three children, consistently described Sherry as a devoted mother and daughter. She was protective of her children and her dog, Charlie. She adored her grandchild and was making future plans around family and work. She had never before left a canastan or Saskatoon areas without informing someone. All agreed that her disappearance was entirely out of character. In the early days after Sherry vanished, RCMP officers searched the pit, digging into gravel piles under the assumption that Sherry may have been accidentally buried, potentially compromising some evidence of her disappearance in the effort. The investigations utilized cadaver dogs, infrared technology, and aerial surveillance in their hunt. Community volunteers under the guidance of the local pastor Gene Whitehead were instructed to watch for unusual activities that might hint at Sherry's whereabouts. The weather also contributed to the failure of early search efforts. The harsh Saskatchewan winters can significantly hamper search efforts for missing persons. The province experiences bitterly cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, and extreme wind chill conditions during winter. These conditions make outdoor search operations extremely challenging and dangerous for search teams. Thick snow cover can conceal potential evidence or clues while freezing temperatures can preserve or degrade evidence unpredictably. Blizzards and whiteout conditions reduce visibility, making navigating and covering large search areas difficult. The frigid temperatures also pose risks of frostbite and hypothermia for searchers limiting the duration and intensity of search efforts. Additionally, frozen lakes and rivers present hazards for search teams attempting to access remote or rural areas. The police formally spoke with Greg Furtuck on December 9th and 10th, 2015. Both interviews were brief, audio tape statements during which the police determined that Greg was lying about key details. Greg claimed Sherry had scheduled him to work at the pit on the day that Sherry disappeared. Another employee, Dylan Dorocier, told police that no more work was needed due to weather conditions. Greg also denied ongoing animosity towards Sherry, claiming they were considering reconciliation. Sherry's family and friends adamantly disputed this. When Greg was brought in for a second interview, he stuck to his claims, but it was clear to the investigators that Greg Furtuck was drunk. Greg's behavior and responses were incongruent with the evidence and gave seasoned officers pause enough to want to look further into his possible involvement in Sherry's disappearance. The evidence gathering continued at the pit and other possible sites. On December 10th, RCMP Sergeant Ryan Clooney was there to take aerial photographs with a remote-controlled drone. Sergeant Clooney noticed that it had snowed at least 10 centimeters the previous night, complicating matters. Clooney and his team searched for viable fingerprints but found none due to the dirty equipment. A small amount of blood was found on the loader in the pit. On December 12th, a presumptive test on the loader's bucket returned positive for blood. Someone could have hurt themselves at work, blah blah blah. It's easy to explain, but considering they were looking for a missing woman, you know, blood on the loader is definitely something they would have to look at. By December 14th, 2015, RCMP Sergeant Clement Haga informed Sherry Furtuck's family that the police believed her disappearance was a homicide and that she was unlikely to be alive. Although the police did not inform the family that Gregory Furtuck was officially under suspicion, Sherry's mother, children, and sisters all independently urged the authorities to investigate him. Without prompting, Sherry had shared her fears about Greg with Julianne, which made him, in her mind, a prime focus in her daughter's disappearance. By that time, the family knew that both Greg and Sherry's brother Darren, who had taken over the family's concrete and gravel crushing business, were being closely monitored by the police. Both had something to gain from Sherry's disappearance. However, Darren was soon ruled out. The RCMP explored various avenues. Sherry's family, potential business rivals and neighbors looking for any leads or motives behind her disappearance. They kept coming back to one place, Gregory Furtuck. On December 21st, Furtuck's truck was searched and presumptively tested for blood yielding a small number of positive results. Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed it was Sherry Furtuck's blood. Again, this was circumstantial, as there could have been an accident unrelated to her disappearance, in which Sherry ended up bleeding on the truck. Search warrants were obtained to search Greg Furtuck's home as well. Inside his residence, firearms and ammunition were found, including 22 caliber ammunition, but no corresponding firearm. The police questioned the absence of the matching gun and wondered about its whereabouts. As winter turned to spring, the RCMP announced publicly that Sherry was likely dead and a homicide victim, shifting the search from a rescue to recovery. In April 2016, after the snow had melted, police tactically searched the gravel pit for evidence. They found two 22 caliber shell casings about 10 to 20 feet from where the semi and loader had been parked, along with two zip ties nearby. The shell casings were kept as holdback evidence, and Greg Furtuck was not informed about them during interviews with him. The canast and community gradually returned to normal, but Sherry's family, especially her mother, sought closure and justice. The investigation remained open, driven by the determination of the family and law enforcement. In May 2016, six months after Sherry vanished, a civil case in the court of Queens bench in Saskatoon revealed an RCMP affidavit stating investigators believe Greg Furtuck had murdered her. This marked the first direct accusation of Greg Furtuck as documented by RCMP Corporal Jeremy Anderson, who said there were reasonable grounds for the belief. Despite these allegations, Greg consistently denied involvement through his lawyer. Sherry's family was not surprised by the revelation of police suspicion of Greg Furtuck, of course, and they hoped they were getting closer to a resolution. However, an arrest in Sherry Furtuck's murder was still years away. More after a quick break. And we are back, Matthew, thoughts? You know, like I said earlier, you know, she's a solid dependable woman for some reason. Frankly married somebody totally beneath her. Yeah. Right? Like, she just deserved a better partner than this guy. Yeah. On October 25th, 2017, Greg Furtuck was arrested as police continued to build their case in Sherry Furtuck's suspected homicide. RCMP Sergeant Clement Haga cited extensive reasonable grounds for the arrest. Sherry had no mental, physical, or financial issues that could explain her disappearance. Searches of the gravel pit, Mr. Furtuck's home and his vehicle had yielded useful information. Sherry's bank account and credit cards were unused after December 7th, 2015, and her bills had gone unpaid. Suicide was unlikely given her stable dependable nature and close family ties. The crime scene at the gravel pit was suspicious. The semi was left with the keys in it and the lights on. Sherry's phone and jacket inside and a loader left on site. Greg Furtuck had financial problems and a possible motive to harm Sherry. Their separation was contentious and Greg's claim of being scheduled for more work contradicted the account of another employee Dylan Durocier. Forensic DNA evidence showed spots of Sherry's blood in Greg's truck and cell phone data placed Greg in the area despite his denial. Additionally, Greg's statements to the police were inconsistent and conflicted with other evidence and previous incidents of domestic violence. After Greg Furtuck's arrest Doris Larock, his latest girlfriend, was interviewed separately from Greg and cautioned about potentially being in accessory after the fact, she claimed not to know anything about Sherry's disappearance. Sergeant Clement Hager later found discrepancies between Greg's and Doris's statements. Despite these findings, the crown did not approve charges at that time. Greg and Doris were released and the police had to go back to the drawing board. So, over the next few months, the police worked behind the scenes gathering more evidence and trying to move the investigation into Sherry's murder forward. Sadly, in July 2018, Sherry's biggest advocate, her mom, Julianne Sarotzky, passed away suddenly. Julianne was pivotal in shedding light on Sherry's life and her troubled relationship with Greg Furtuck. Julianne's passing left a significant void and renewed the determination of those investigating Sherry's disappearance. Defined answers. I always find it sad when a loved one dies before they know what happened. I guess when they're dead, it just doesn't matter anymore. It matters to everybody else, maybe even a little more. Yeah, but not to the person who's gone. He kind of wished it could have gone to sleep with an understanding of what happened. What Julianne and the rest of Sherry's loved ones didn't know was that in June of 2018, the RCMP put a tried and true investigative technique into motion. If you've listened to this show for any amount of time, you know what I'm going to say. Matthew, I'll leave it to you. Oh, God. You're giving me another Mr. Big episode, aren't you? Yes. Oh, gosh. So I'm too sick to like get overly rambunctious, but I still think this might get my blood going. Well, we don't want you fainting or anything like that. For those unfamiliar, the Mr. Big undercover sting operation is a controversial technique used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to elicit confessions from suspects and cases where there is insufficient evidence often in cold murder cases like this one. Here's a brief overview of how it works. The operation begins with undercover officers befriending and gaining the suspect's trust over an extended period, sometimes several months. The officers pretend to be a part of a fictional criminal organization introducing the suspect of various members and having them perform minor tasks that appear criminal but are completely staged. As the suspect gets more involved with a fake crime syndicate, they are eventually told they must confess a previous crime, usually a murder to the boss known as Mr. Big to become a fully trusted member. Mr. Big is played by an experienced interrogator who uses tactics like fear, intimidation, incentives or promises of protection to compel the suspect to confess. The entire operation is carefully orchestrated with the conversations and meetings recorded to capture any incriminating statements or confessions made by the suspect. The goal is to create an environment where the suspect feels compelled to disclose details about their alleged crime to gain acceptance into the fictional criminal organization. Critics argue that these stings are unethical, violate suspects' rights, and increase the risk of false confessions due to the psychological pressure and inducements used by the officers. Nonetheless, the RCMP has used this controversial technique in over 350 cases across Canada leading to numerous convictions. I wonder how many led to no convictions. I wonder how many were done to people that were not guilty at all. Yeah, that's a good question. I'd like to see those numbers. The stats of the failed Mr. Big. Yeah, I'm curious about that too. I'll dig into it. The RCMP carefully tracked Greg Furtuck's habits, activities and associates to gather information for the sting. Operation Fiston began on June 6, 2018 and 136 scenarios would follow. The first stage of a Mr. Big operation is known as the Bump or the initial contact phase where the undercover officers engage the target to build trust and integrate them into the fictitious criminal organization. The objective is establishing a non-threatening initial contact, creating a plausible scenario for future interactions without raising suspicions. Extensive surveillance is conducted to gather information about the target's habits and preferences, which helps craft a convincing scenario. The scenario is designed to align with the target's daily activities or interests, such as frequenting a bar or store. The undercover officers approach the target casually and in a friendly manner, aiming to peak interest without revealing the operation's true nature. After initial contact, controlled encounters gradually build rapport and trust while gathering more personal information about the target. Elements of the fictitious organization are subtly introduced, portraying it as "successful and trustworthy", ensuring the target feels no immediate pressure to engage in illegal activities. As trust has established, the scenarios gradually increase in complexity and risk, encouraging the target to take on small roles within the organization with the ultimate goal of making them comfortable enough to share incriminating information, or in the best case, confessions. In Greg Furtuck's case, the Bump occurred over scenarios 1-7 between August 6 and 23, 2018. Undercover officers posing as marketing supervisors at a liquor store frequented by Furtuck conducted a fake survey with a prize draw. Furtuck participated and was rigged to win a second-place trip to Banff-Canmore, facilitating his first significant interaction with operatives. The next stage in a Mr. Big Operation is called "The Hook". This was Scenario 8 and took place on September 13, 2018. Furtuck and his partner Doris were picked up by an undercover officer and flown to Calgary under the guise of their prize. They were introduced to CP, an undercover officer who would play a pivotal role in drawing Furtuck deeper into the fictitious gang. This scenario marked the start of recorded interactions. Other key scenarios included Scenario 17, which was geared toward demonstrating the organization's scope on October 3, 2018. It showcased the gang's scale and reinforced its credibility. Furtuck was taken on a road trip to Regina introduced to "Dave" and shown a warehouse stocked with goods highlighting the gang's legitimate and criminal operations. Scenario 44 was a high-stakes poker game, December 5, 2018, intended to display the gang's sophistication and profitability through illegal gambling. Greg Furtuck participated in a high-stakes poker game staged by the RCMP. Each player required a minimum stake of $20,000 with the housekeeping $20,000 and the winner taking home $80,000. Furtuck's role was to provide security for the event. However, the scenario had to be cut short due to Furtuck's severe intoxication. While at the hotel before the game, he became increasingly drunk to the point where he soiled himself, tripped and fell down the stairs. The lead undercover officer, Kurt, ordered the scenario to end and had Furtuck return to his hotel room due to concerns for his safety and the realization that the intended points of the scenario were lost on him due to his state of mind. This incident was the worst drinking episode during the undercover operation, although there were several other examples. Okay, so this guy is like so bloody guilty, right? So I'm just gonna put that aside for a second, okay? But to be clear, when a Mr. Big happens, it's when police think someone is guilty, but they've not proven he's guilty. So here are the police letting an obvious alcoholic get that drunk during one of their operations, right? And putting himself in danger, how is that legal? How can we let the police put people's lives in danger like that, right? And don't get me wrong, he's as guilty as sin, but what if he wasn't? And what other dangerous scenarios did the cops just flagrantly put people in with these Mr. Big things, right? Yeah, well, I have an answer to your earlier question. Okay. So as of 2008, and so this is a bit old, the Mr. Big technique had been used more than 350 times across Canada. In 75% of these operations, the person of interest was either clear or charged with the offense of the cases prosecuted in excess of 95% resulted in convictions. So we said earlier, there were 350 convictions, so there's been a few others since this. So 7 so 95 of the 75% right convicted. So so I'm interested in that initial 20. I love how they parse numbers. I'm interested, I'm interested in that 25% of the people. So what's 25% of 350? How many people? How many how many people were like gone through the ringer who were completely innocent? And you know what, if the police did, if police Mr. Big me, right? And like I had nothing, I would I'd be suing them until their bloody department was closed down. The operation was almost scuppered entirely when Greg Furtuck injured his head on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2018. He slipped on ice while entering a business resulting in a fall that caused him to strike his head. This injury led to the development of several hematomas bleeding on the brain, despite the severity of the injury, Furtuck checked out of the hospital against medical advice. Following this incident on January 8, 2019, Doris called undercover officer Adam, she thought he was Greg's friend at this point, informing him that Furtuck had fallen and could not get up. Adam and CP, another undercover officer, went to Furtuck's house, finding him on the ground, unwashed for days and refusing medical assistance. This led to his hospitalization on January 10, 2019, when undercover officers called for an ambulance against his wishes. While in the hospital, Furtuck received treatment for his brain hematomas and a blood clot in his lung, undergoing physical and mental therapy to aid his recovery. He was discharged from the hospital a month later on February 15, 2019. The operation resumed on March 3, another month after Furtuck's hospitalization for his injury. This scenario introduced the character Sean, a corrupt police officer and Alanna, a woman, another undercover officer, Jeff, had met at a bar and wanted to introduce to Greg. This scenario was crucial in demonstrating the organization's power and influence. Sean was presented as a cop who had secured a loan from the organization due to his involvement in illegal gambling. Furtuck was also reminded of the importance of honesty within the organization. Scenario 86, March 14, 2019. Furtuck and undercover officer Jeff were tasked with traveling from Saskatoon to Regina, highlighting the need for honesty and reinforcing the organization's expectations. This scenario involved an overnight trip emphasizing Furtuck's willingness to engage in such activities again after his injury. Scenario 89, March 22, 2019, a border crossing scenario involving a bribe to a border guard was conducted. This scenario was designed to show Furtuck the gang's enhanced power indicating that corrupt officials were working for them and pulling strings. Scenario 92, March 27, 2019. Another poker game scenario was held with Sean participating as a player. Unlike the previous poker game, Furtuck was not drinking and his behavior was noted to be vastly improved. This scenario further reintroduced the concept of illegal poker games and the revenue they generated for the gang. Scenario 96, April 3, 2019. This scenario involved setting up a future important scenario by demonstrating the absolute importance of honesty within the organization. An employee, Chad, was fired for dishonesty, despite his attempts to cover up his mistakes. This reinforced the Furtuck that dishonesty would lead to expulsion from the gang, making a significant impression on him. Scenario 102, April 14, 2019. Furtuck was involved in a trip to Vancouver for a counterfeit passport scenario. During this trip, Adam discussed the gang's ability to clean up crime scenes further embedding Furtuck into its operations and emphasizing their capabilities and resources. Scenario 104, on April 16, 2019, was a critical part of the undercover operation. It involved a staged gun deal to test Greg Furtuck's familiarity with firearms and deepen his involvement with the fictitious criminal organization. The scenario required special approval due to its high-risk nature and was designed to make Furtuck feel integral to the operation. During the setup, Furtuck was brought into a controlled location, shown several firearms, and asked to provide his expertise. During this interaction, Furtuck made a significant, spontaneous admission, stating that "the police would never find Sherry Furtuck's body." Directly contradicting his previous claims of innocence to officials. This admission was crucial as it aligned with holdback evidence and implied his deeper involvement in his wife's disappearance. This scenario reinforced the strategy of gradually increasing the complexity and risk of activities, leading to Furtuck's comfort with the organization and eventual incriminating disclosures providing essential evidence for his arrest and later prosecution. The undercover operation culminated in Scenario 133, where Furtuck met Christian, the supposed crime boss in a Saskatoon hotel. This scenario was designed to pressure Furtuck by suggesting he was "insignificant legal jeopardy exacerbated by a fake RCMP letter to the FBI." During the meeting, Christian clarified that Furtuck was free to leave at any time, but Furtuck chose to stay. "There's one in particular I'm thinking about. Yes, I know the one you're talking about, and that will get me really rampant. So somebody's life is meeting up with undercover cops, unbeknownst to them 133 times. We should not have that much power." In this important scenario, Christian began by discussing Furtuck's health and memory after his head injury establishing rapport. The conversation quickly shifted to Furtuck's problem with Christian implying that Furtuck's criminal exposure needed to be "cleaned up." Furtuck immediately identified this as related to his wife's disappearance and admitted he was a prime suspect. Christian told Furtuck that he was going to be arrested for killing his wife and that he only had two options, seek help from the organization or not, Furtuck chose to seek help. During the conversation, Furtuck confessed to killing Sherry, initially giving a general account at later providing more details. He explained that he shot her because she was trying to take everything he had worked for. Furtuck said he used a Ruger-22 rifle, disposed of her body wrapped in plastic east of Kennaston, and got rid of the gun. It was the one police couldn't find when they'd executed their first search warrant at his house. Furtuck had detailed the incident, including shooting her twice, once in the shoulder and once in the head, and how he'd disposed of the body and weapon. Furtuck consistently maintained his account throughout the interview demonstrating reliability in his confession. Furtuck was arrested on June 24, 2019, and his apprehension was executed in a controlled manner to ensure safety and secure additional evidence. Greg Furtuck was charged with first-degree murder and offering an indignity to human remains based on his confession and corroborating evidence gathered during the operation. After his arrest, he was interrogated and reiterated his earlier admissions, further solidifying the case against him. Furtuck was remanded in custody and remained detained, having abandoned his application for interim release. The detailed confession offered during the undercover operation was crucial in the legal proceedings, with the court ultimately admitting the evidence into trial. Even though he'd already admitted to killing Shari on several occasions, he pleaded not guilty. For various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Furtuck firing his lawyers, the proceedings against him would take almost five years to wind their way through the courts. His trial began in September 2021 in Saskatoon. Perhaps the most dramatic testimony came from Shari and Greg's children. They had seen and heard a lot over the years. Lauren Furtuck, Shari and Greg's eldest daughter, testified. Lauren said that during drives together in Shari's semi-truck hauling gravel, Shari confided in her about the troubles in her marriage with Greg. Shari told Lauren, she was scared Greg would do something to her, and that if anything happened, Lauren should look at Greg as the suspect and take care of Shari's dog. Lauren then testified that Greg was abusive towards Shari, herself and her siblings, making threats like, "I'll gut you like a fish" and, quote, "I'll kill you" when drunk. She never saw Greg physically assault Shari, but Shari showed her bruises. Greg referred to Shari as, quote, "a bipolar witch and a snake." Lauren believed from the beginning that Greg was responsible for her mother's disappearance in December 2015 because of the threats he'd made against Shari. She maintained a relationship with her father until her mother went missing. On cross-examination, Lauren confirmed one of Shari's friends was also told by Shari to look at Greg if anything happened to her. Lauren said she first learned police suspected Greg when he was arrested in 2017. Lucas Furtuck, Greg and Shari's son, also served as a key crown witness at his father's first-degree murder trial for allegedly killing his mother. Lucas testified about the turbulent and, at times, violent relationship between his parents stemming from issues like Greg's gambling, drinking, and finances. He recounted witnessing physical altercations and his father threatening to shoot his mother Shari, quote, "between the eyes" before they separated. Despite this dysfunction, the family had some positive memories from activities like fishing and hunting trips where Greg showcased his skills as an avid gun collector and skilled marksman. Notably, Lucas stated that the last time he spoke to his mother was when she wished him a happy birthday shortly before her disappearance in December 2015. After that, he never heard from her again. Lana Furtuck, the Furtuck's youngest daughter, testified that she and her siblings had long suspected their father, Greg Furtuck, was responsible for their mother's murder. She stated that Greg had a history of verbal and physical violence towards Shari, often fueled by his drinking and gambling, leading to conflicts over finances. Lana recounted that on the day Shari went missing, she failed to return home from her job hauling gravel which was unusual. When Lana informed Greg about Shari's absence, he seemed unconcerned and told her to let him know if they ever found her. Lana maintained that despite the defense's suggestions of other potential suspects, her mother only had animosity toward Greg and she disagreed with the claim that Greg had nothing to gain from getting rid of Shari. You know, like, you know, these kids, it just breaks my heart. So, well, I can bitch about Mr. Big and the methodologies. Like, I'm, of course, I'm glad that he's caught, right? But for these kids to have had to deal with this guy all their lives. Yeah. You know, I don't know how somebody can be that selfish to treat their spouse and their children like that. Well, this guy was like, just a bloody hurricane in their life. And how could he be so heartless and cruel to them all? He is what three kids and he's not saying where her body is. Right. Corporal Terry Haru and Sergeant Ryan Clooney from the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit testified about the evidence sees from Greg Furtuck's home and the gravel pit where Shari was last seen. In the initial, in the initial search of Greg's home in 2015, they found clothing items, a rifle, ammunition, and other gun related items. A later search in 2019 after Greg's arrest uncovered additional ammunition, cell phones, and a shotgun barrel, a spot of blood matching Shari's DNA profile was found in the back of Greg's truck. Clooney noted that while traces of potential blood were found on the loader Shari had been using, the scene had been contaminated by searchers initially treating it as missing person's case rather than a homicide investigation. In November 2021, as the trial went on, police discovered a major piece of evidence in the case against Greg Furtuck when a rural couple, Courtney and Dean Williams, found the firearm allegedly used to kill Shari Furtuck. While moving a grain bin on their property near Saskatoon, which had been purchased in 2020, Courtney Williams uncovered a Ruger 1022 semiautomatic rifle hidden just a couple of inches beneath where the bin had been resting. The discovery matched the type of rifle Greg Furtuck confessed to using during the Mr. Big Undercover operation in 2019. It was found where he stated he had disposed of the rifle west of Saskatoon after shooting Shari twice. The Williams contacted the police after recognizing the rifle from news coverage related to the case. RCMP forensic firearms expert Kenneth Chan analyzed the rifle and confirmed that markings on the 222 caliber shell casings found at the gravel pit where Shari went missing in 2015 matched test fires from the discovered Ruger 1022 rifle. Although Shari's body has not been found, the recovery of the rifle provided critical physical evidence linking Greg Furtuck to the alleged murder scene. Greg Furtuck's behavior throughout his murder trial and court proceedings was often disruptive and defiant, drawing reactions of frustration from the judge and crown prosecutors. Furtuck initially had legal representation but fired his lawyers midway through the trial in September 2021, choosing to represent himself against the court's advice. As a self-represented defendant, Furtuck frequently interrupted proceedings with rambling statements, sarcastic comments, and accusations against the crown. Justice Richard Deniluk had to repeatedly admonish him for being disrespectful and unhelpful. During his closing arguments in June 2024, Furtuck provocatively stated, "Show me the body, Mr. Bliss," to the crown prosecutor, challenging the lack of a recovered body as evidence against him. The crown argued circumstantial evidence like blood stains was sufficient. Just over a week before the verdict was delivered, Furtuck filed a, "ill-conceived application for a mistrial," or to reopen his case for more evidence, which the judge denied as being without legal foundation and a, "fishing expedition." He reminded Greg Furtuck that he was in a courtroom, not a playground. When the guilty verdict was read on June 14, 2024, Furtuck shook his head in disbelief, despite the judge stating, "There's too much evidence against him." Justice Deniluk strongly criticized Furtuck's character in his ruling, describing him as a misogynistic, abusive alcoholic, and referring to him as the "Dark Cowboy," a nickname Furtuck had used for himself during the Mr. Big operation. Sherry Furtuck's sisters, who were present, expressed relief at the guilty verdict, saying they always knew Furtuck was capable of killing Sherry based on his history of threats and domestic violence. The crown prosecutors commended the RCMP for persisting with a lengthy Mr. Big sting that ultimately produced Furtuck's confession despite the lack of a body. Although, as of this writing, Furtuck has yet to be sentenced, a first-degree murder conviction in Canada carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on July 4, 2024. This will allow time for Sherry's family members to prepare victim impact statements. Sherry's body remains missing. "I hope he gets 1,000 years. And why would need to say where she is? Give your kids a break, give society a break. Just fast up." So if you're looking for a deeper dive into this case, please check out the CBC podcast, The Pit. They really, really get deep into this. It's multiple episodes. And that's it for "Dark Poutine" episode 324. What happened to Sherry Furtuck? "That's right. It's time for voicemails." You can leave us a message at 1-877-327-5786 or 1-877-D-A-R-K-P-T-N. We'd love to hear from you. Let's see who called us this week. Here's our first voicemail. "Hi, my name is Michelle. I am calling from Payton, Saskatchewan. It's P-A-Y-N-T-O-N. So not Payton, Payton. Anyways, I just finished listening to episode 319. And there was a caller who talked about being from a round or near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. And it sounded like you boys might be a little confused about that. So there are not two Lloyd minsters. Lloydminster actually is one city that covers across both Saskatchewan and Alberta border. So there is a Lloydminster Saskatchewan side and a Lloydminster Alberta side. So I just thought I would clarify that for you. Anyways, have yourselves a great day, love the podcast, and go shit in your hat. Bye for now. So Michelle, thank you. Yes, we do easily get confused. And I think that's so cool. I had no idea that there is this town that's across both provinces. Yeah. I think she's a cartographer. She's a cartographer. Well, there you go. Yeah, because she knows all about it. Painting and Lloydminster. I was going to jokeingly say, thank you, Michelle, from Payton. After she called there, it's not Payton. Oh boy. Thanks for calling, Michelle. Yes, thank you very much. Let's listen to our next one. Hello. Hello, Mike, Matthew, and Steve. This is amazing. I'm originally from Newfoundland, now living in Chatham, Ontario. I have a question. Why did you stop saying just two Canadian schmuck? I'm just curious. I love the show, and I love Matthew on the show. Thanks. Take care. So I've added it back. This is like the umpteenth caller who is called or emailed or texted or something and asked, why aren't you guys schmuck anymore? Guess what? We are now. Do you know what? I didn't even notice that you had stopped saying it. Yeah. Well, because you don't hear that part of the show. I know. You don't listen because you can't stand your voice. I can't stand my own. I'm so glad that Maisie likes me on the show because I don't like me on the show. Aww. I love you on the show, Matthew. Thank you, Mike. You know, I have to say. No homo. No homo. I'm wearing a t-shirt. I'm saying a t-shirt. Well, you know, for me, it's maybe homo. I'm wearing a t-shirt that says yes, homo today. Yeah. I'm Maisie. I actually was in Chatham. Like, you know, I'm from nearby. You know, that I grew up there, but I had to really visit in Chatham and my brother. And I did like a little tour. We're touring cannabis shops because of my business. And I really like Chatham. It's a nice town. So I hope you're enjoying living there. Yeah. All right. I think Maisie owns a greenhouse. She owns a greenhouse. What does she grow in her green? Weed. Yeah. It's called Maisies. Maisies daisies. No, Maisies, they ain't daisies. Oh, there you go. Hi. This is Angela, calling from Kevlick, called in a few times before. So let's see. The butthole of Canada, or even on Terrible, would be, we're in currently living now, because it's quick. You know, we always thought it's the wick. Growing up, this area has a stigma for biker gangs and everything like that. I don't know. What body part is usually forgotten, a better left out, because that is the area of Ontario that I grew up in. I grew up in a little tiny town called Pepper Law. So what if the forgotten body part is like, I don't know, let's call us the appendix. The appendix of on Terrible. And if you want to get really out there, I mean, my grandparents and my parents currently live in a little town called Matawaska, Ontario, which would be another forgotten body part. But anywho, instead of saying there's shit in your hat, I'm taking one from Matthew, and go plop in the yard. Have a great day, guys. Yeah, go plop in the yard. Well, there you go. Thanks, Angela. It's funny that you call Kevlick the wick, because there used to be a bar in London, Ontario, called the Brunswick Hotel. But everyone's called it the wick. My brother used to play there. My brother rented a room above for practicing the band. And the wick was a total dive, but it was one of the special places that everyone loved. And eventually, over time, it just sadly got ripped down. So, yeah, so Kevlick, I was just looking up Kevlick. Yeah, you're kind of like on like almost the back foot. The back foot? Yeah. Kind of like a pimple on the bum. Oh, no. Now you've probably offended somebody from Kevlick. No, but remember, I said I was not going to tell, and I've not been to Kevlick. I'm sure it's lovely, but I'm and I did not say what is about all or any other parts of Ontario. I let people call in and say if they don't like where they live. Oh, yeah. There you go. Angela seems lovely, doesn't she? Yes, he's called it before. That's it for this week's voicemails. Again, you can leave us one at 1-877-327-5786 or 1-877-D-A-R-K-P-T-N. We'd love to hear from you, even if it is just to say hi and to tell us to go shit in our hats. If you're stumped for what to chat with us about, a quick story is welcome. Let's move on to PayPal and Patreon, donut money donors, etc. And we do have a donut money donor this week, and it is Janelle Switzer and Janelle is from the place you think I'm from, Abbotsford, British Columbia. Janelle Switzer from Abbotsford. She says, "I thank you for all the great podcast episodes. I've been binge listening for some time, and I'm now up to episode 224. I'm already sad thinking I'll be caught up one day soon, wall." But you know what you can do, you can go back and listen to them again. Because that helps the show, if you've read down, load them. Abbotsford. Yep. Abbotsford. What's the big business as an Abbotsford? I am not really sure. And how far is Abbotsford from you? Am I completely off when I always think you're an Abbotsford? It's about 33 minutes away. Okay, that's not too far then. Yeah. I don't know what the industry is in Abbotsford, really. Agriculture, of course. Manufacturing, it looks like aviation and transportation. Oh, interesting. Well, there you go, home to a $1.8 billion agricultural sector. So I guess we would call agriculture the big business. Well, I didn't know Abbotsford was so agricultural, but they've had some, didn't Abbotsford have some really bad floods a while ago? There were some floods in the valley, yeah. Yeah, I mean, it's just floods aren't good for farmers. I like to tell you that much. No, they're not good for anybody, really. From a family with lots of farmers, making your living on something that has to put up with mother nature is very difficult sometimes. So I wonder what Janelle does there in Abbotsford. Maybe something to do with farming? No, he's a DJ. She's a superstar DJ. Oh, there you go. Yeah. Well, somebody's got to do it. Yeah, superstar DJ. She's always flying around. There you go. Thanks to all our patrons and donut money donors past and present for your generosity. It helps to keep the show going. You can become a patron of DarkPoutine at patreon.com/darkpoutine. For a one-time donation, you can send us donut money via PayPal using our email address darkpoutinepodcast@gmail.com. If you don't already subscribed to the show, it would mean a lot if you did. You can easily find DarkPoutine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. If you haven't gotten yours yet, my book Murder Madness in Mayhem is available to order via a link on the DarkPoutine website. And speaking of darkpoutine.com, please check it out for show notes and other cool stuff. We'd appreciate it if you took the time to give DarkPoutine a like or a follow on Facebook and Instagram. Most importantly, thank you for listening and tell your friends about us. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. And that's it for this episode of DarkPoutine. And until next time, don't forget to be a good egg and not a bad apple. Goodbye everybody. Wish me luck getting better. Yeah. [Music] [Music] On a night cold enough to freeze your bones. A prospector searching for a legendary cursed goldmine vanishes without a trace. I'm Crue Williams, the host of Dead Man's Curse. This season, we retrace the steps of fortune seekers looking for a mother load worth billions who never came back. So come join our quests. Search for and follow Dead Man's Cursed volcanic goal. On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Episode 324: Sheree Fertuck, a 51-year-old businesswoman, mother of three, and grandmother from Saskatchewan, disappeared on December 7, 2015, after leaving her family’s lunch gathering at her mother’s farm in Kenaston to return to work at a nearby gravel pit. The next day, her abandoned gravel truck was found in the pit, with her personal belongings inside, raising immediate concerns about her unexplained disappearance. Despite extensive ground searches by her family, friends, and the police around the gravel pit and other locations, no trace of Sheree Fertuck has ever been found.
RCMP and Sheree’s family believed she was abducted, or worse, murdered. As the weeks and months passed with no sign of Sheree, suspicion fell on her estranged husband, Gregory Mitchell Fertuck, 62. The pair had been going through a contentious divorce for some years. The RCMP undertook an undercover operation to acquire a confession to Sheree’s murder. Due to legal challenges and COVID restrictions hampering proceedings, it was not until June 2024 that this case was finally resolved.
Sources:
2023 SKKB 200 (CanLII) | R. v Fertuck | CanLII
Search: Sheree Fertuck | Newspapers.com
Kenaston, Saskatchewan
History – Village of Kenaston
The Mr. Big Police Investigation - How Real Life Sting Operations Work in BC – Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group (DDLaw)
The Mr. Big Sting in Canada - Jonathan Cross, thesis
Mr. Big: Undercover Sting Operations
RCMP Mr. Big sting on accused killer Greg Fertuck began with fake contest at bar offsale in Saskatoon | CBC News
Greg Fertuck threatened to shoot, bury wife: Crown witnesses | CBC News
'I'll gut you like a fish': Daughter testifies Greg Fertuck had history of threats against her mom | CBC News
Sheree Fertuck's sisters still searching for closure, justice 7 years after disappearance | CBC News
14 days, 35 witnesses: Who has testified so far at Greg Fertuck's 1st-degree murder trial | CBC News
Greg Fertuck calls former lawyer as defence witness at his murder trial
'Show me the body': Closing arguments heard at Greg Fertuck murder trial
Greg Fertuck 'never told me that he killed Sheree,' former girlfriend testifies at murder trial | CBC News
Greg Fertuck's murder trial adjourned for final decision after closing arguments
Sheree Fertuck | News, Videos & Articles | Global News
Voir dire reopened so Fertuck can further cross-examine Crown witnesses at murder trial
Fertuck acted out killing estranged wife in secretly recorded confession video
Judge warns Greg Fertuck that court is not a 'playground' as murder trial resumes in Saskatoon | CBC News
Latest request from accused killer Fertuck 'unacceptable,' says Crown
Judge denies Fertuck's request for mistrial or to reopen murder trial
Greg Fertuck found guilty of killing ex-wife after nearly three-year long trial
Greg Fertuck found guilty of 1st-degree murder in 2015 disappearance of wife Sheree | CBC News
Gregory Fertuck guilty of first-degree murder in death of estranged wife Sheree
The Pit | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
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