Calgary police have charged Derek Puffer with two counts of second-degree murder of Cochrane Eagle columnist Billy Powers, 71, and his wife Donna Lee, 64, who were found dead in their Calgary home July 4.
Calgary police have charged Derek Puffer with two counts of second-degree murder of Cochrane Eagle columnist Billy Powers, 71, and his wife Donna Lee, 64, who were found dead in their Calgary home July 4.
Puffer, 38, is now undergoing a 30-day psychiatric evaluation by order of Calgary judge Bob Wilkins.
Puffer was the stepson of Billy Powers, the adopted son of Donna Lee from her first marriage. He is due back in court Aug. 7.
Calgary police took Puffer into custody for questioning immediately following the discovery of the two bodies, and said Puffer had led them to the scene at approximately 5:20 a.m. in the city's Braeside community.
A knife was found at the Powers' residence, but police are not saying whether it was used in the murder.
An autopsy of the two bodies is being conducted.
Since word of the deaths, there has been an outpouring of sympathy from the Calgary sports community.
Billy has been associated with Eagle publisher Jack Tennant for around 30 years. He began writing for the Airdrie Echo in the late '80s, as well as for the Calgary Golfer in the mid '90s.
Powers had also written a sports column for the Eagle for four years, was a well-know sports radio personality in Calgary for decades and occasionally wrote for other publications in the area, such as the Rural Times and Cochrane This Week.
Billy's forte was primarily sports, but could touch upon an array of subject matters.
A celebration of Billy and Donna Lee's life will take place the week of July 15; more details will follow once finalized.
Condolences can be forwarded to mcinnisandholloway.com and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Association of the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (cmha.ca).
