SASKATCHEWAN – Joshua Peters, 38, was found dead outside his home in Langham on July 8 in an apparent murder-suicide and tributes are flooding social media as friends and family are remembering him as a talented musician and devoted father.
Peters was remembered on the Facebook page Elephant Seal out of Saskatoon.
“We are shocked. Our hearts are shattered. Our lives feel empty without him. An unparalleled artist. An insurmountable force. Without him it feels as if there is no music; no song to be played; no lyrics to be sung, or even a page on which to write,” the group posted.
“This loss is incomprehensible but the beautiful echoes of his presence will be with us forever.”
Friends also posted tributes.
“Josh was fun to be around and made people feel known,” said Ashley. “He had a great sense of humour and was a fantastic drummer. He will be missed.”
According to RCMP, a 38-year-old man was shot and killed by 46-year-old Justin Heimbecker. Friends and family have identified the victim on social media as Joshua Peters.
Police say that the victim and suspect were known to each other but not related. According to Warman RCMP, they received a report around 9 a.m. of a person uttering threats and while responding they received more reports of a shooting outside a home on Kyle Street in Langham and a house fire on the same street, which was identified as Heimbecker’s home.
Following the shooting police issued an emergency alert for the community and surrounding area warning that Heimbecker was armed and on the loose. They later found him deceased inside his residence after the fire was put out and police entered the partially-burnt home around 11:40 a.m.
According to an obituary by Dalmeny Funeral Home, Peters grew up in Langham and returned to the community with Candice and their children.
“He loved being a father and was a fierce advocate and cheerleader for his children, while also being a wonderful fun parent,” reads the obituary.
“He loved the outdoors and spent many hours canoeing with his family on the North Saskatchewan River in summer. Josh was a gifted musician who was deeply connected with the music scene in Saskatoon and involved with several musical projects throughout his life. He loved all creative endeavours, but especially loved composing lyrics."
