A devastating fire in Edmonton’s Boyle-McCauley neighborhood claims the life of 39-year-old Teresa Sara Katcheech, a beloved mother ruled a homicide victim.

Eyewitness Describes Early Morning Blaze

Ken Clements, a resident near 93 Street and 105 Avenue, wakes up around 5:30 a.m. to flashing lights and smoke billowing from a neighboring house. “I figured the house was on fire. I figured it was going to burn to the ground because they’re old houses. But it didn’t. They got it out before it burnt to the ground,” Clements recounts.

Firefighters battle the flames for about two hours before discovering a body in the back bedroom. “One guy came out and said, ‘I think there’s a body in here,’ one of the firemen,” Clements adds. Investigators confirm the victim’s identity through DNA evidence and classify her death as a homicide, declining to disclose the cause.

Family Pays Tribute to Devoted Mother

Teresa Sara Katcheech leaves behind two sons, aged 11 and 17, and an 8-year-old daughter, all raised by her cousin. Though she visits regularly, family members describe her as funny, outspoken, kind, and beautiful.

Her oldest son, Damen, shares his grief: “I just started crying. That was my biggest fear, losing my mom.” Younger son Kieran adds, “I was missing her a lot. I wrote, ‘I love you Mom’ and then I wrote, ‘Love, Kieran.’”

Damen expresses outrage: “I just don’t get how you could do that to mom, and like whoever did it I hope that every day that they go to bed (with) my mom on their mind. Every day that they wake up, my mom’s on their mind.” Cousin Jeslyn Tremblay laments, “For her life to end this way is just — it’s not fair.”

A memorial of flowers, cards, and photos now stands outside the house where Katcheech died.

Background on the House and Victim

Katcheech does not live at the fire scene. Neighbors report a man evicted from the property three months earlier continues to squat there.

Family members launch a GoFundMe campaign to fund a celebration of life and support her children.