The Ontario husband and wife who were found killed in their resort town home last week were the type of people that "would help you in any way possible," an acquaintance recalled Monday.
Police arrived at the home of Kathryn and Michael Rogers, in the town of The Blue Mountains, last Wednesday after a missing person complaint was filed. Ms. Rogers, 55, and Mr. Rogers, 56, were both discovered dead inside and their deaths have since been ruled a double homicide.
More than an hour away in Barrie, Ont., Heidi Leno said she was shocked to learn that the couple had been killed. She said Mr. Rogers' parents were residents at a Collingwood retirement home where she had worked in the kitchen about four years ago.
Ms. Leno remembered the couple as kind. They would often stop by for meals, she said, and more than once drove her home when her shift was done. "They would help you in anyway possible. I remember one time it was pouring out and they drove me home," Ms. Leno said. "They didn't have to ... they were a really nice couple."
Staff at the retirement home declined to comment Monday.
For more than two and a half years, Mr. Rogers had worked as the manager of the home services department at Blue Mountain Resort, meaning he was the key contact for people who own homes in the village. "The entire resort is saddened and shocked by the news and particularly the team that worked closely with Michael," said Collin Matanowitsch, spokesman for the resort.
Grief counselling is being offered to staff on a 24/7 basis, Mr. Matanowitsch said. "We're all feeling it," he said, adding that the resort has been among the large area that police have been combing since last week.
The couple's home was for sale at the time of their deaths. Doug Gillis confirmed he was real estate agent in charge of the sale of the Kitzbuhl Crescent cabin, which was listed for $895,000, but said privacy restrictions prevented him from discussing the sale or his clients.
Police are saying little about the investigation, beyond the fact that no one has been arrested in connection with the homicide. But the fact that the couple's home was for sale is part of the investigation.
"Obviously all aspects of our two deceased victims are certainly something our investigators will be looking at," said OPP media relations Constable Peter Leon.
Const. Leon said that in cases like this, the causes of death are "evidentiary," and might not be released until the case goes to court.