A murderous fugitive who hid from American and Mexican authorities in small-town Alberta for many years was a bridge-playing, banana bread-baking ex-realtor, in response to her former pals and neighbours.
Dee Glabus, as she was identified in Taber, Alta., was really Sharon Kinne, considered one of America’s most wished criminals.
Kinne was tried for 3 murders — her husband, her lover’s spouse and a Mexican man she met in a bar — in Kansas Metropolis and Mexico Metropolis earlier than she escaped from a Mexican jail in 1969, 5 years right into a 13-year sentence.
Authorities have been by no means capable of observe down Kinne after her escape.
At a information convention on Thursday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Workplace in Missouri stated fingerprint information confirmed that Kinne had been hiding in southern Alberta.
Mates ‘in shock’
A few of Kinne’s former pals and neighbours had gathered for a day of bridge on the native seniors’ centre in Taber after they realized the information.
“I can’t believe it. I’m in shock,” stated Vena Vandersteen. “That’s just insane.”
Vandersteen stated Glabus was a proficient needlepoint artist who as soon as gave her a hand-made quilt as a present.
Glabus was additionally a meals financial institution volunteer, usually supplying them with selfmade banana bread.
The group of girls realized to play bridge collectively, taught by Phyllis Katrusik.
“She came here to play bridge with us and liked it,” stated Katrusik. “And we were always anxious to get players, we’re rounding up players whenever we can.”
Katrusik additionally reacted to the bombshell information that her good friend and neighbour was a convicted killer, on the run from authorities.
“How can you fool the whole world year after year?” she questioned.
Dee Glabus got here to Taber in 1973 with husband Jim Glabus. The 2 owned the native Taber Motel earlier than working collectively as realtors.
The bridge women stated after Jim died in 1979 on the age of 38, Dee was neglected of his will and fought it in courtroom.
“We just all felt sorry and wanted to help her,” stated Katrusik.
Husband died at age 38
In response to newspaper clippings from the time, Jim Glabus died from problems of diabetes and alcoholism.
A number of years after his loss of life, Dee Glabus married a person named Willie Ell. The pair have been collectively for 30 years till Ell’s loss of life in 2011 on the age of 79.
It’s unknown if both of Glabus’s Alberta husbands have been conscious of her felony previous.
Taber’s mayor, Andrew Prokop, actually had no thought, in response to his spokesperson.
Meghan Brennan advised CBC Information the mayor wouldn’t be commenting on the state of affairs.
Funeral residence fingerprints
On the Kansas Metropolis information convention, officers thanked the Taber police and RCMP for his or her co-operation within the investigation.
Canadian police have been tapped for help in 2023, after the Jackson County sheriffs acquired an nameless tip that fugitive Sharon Kinne was dwelling in southern Alberta as Dee Glabus.
“It just so happens that someone had that tip and was not willing to release it until after her death,” stated Sgt. Dustin Love.
Love stated Dee Glabus was fingerprinted by the funeral residence after she died.
He subpoenaed the information and was capable of verify the tip — Dee Glabus was Sharon Kinne, considered one of America’s most wished.
Again on the bridge desk, Vandersteen revisits a life lesson she’s imparted to her youngsters.
“I always tell my kids, the truth will set you free someday,” she stated.
“Whatever you do in life, they’ll find out.”
