Altona murder

Altona murder
LocationAltona, Manitoba, Canada
DateNovember 17, 1990 (1990-11-17)
Attack type
attempted murder, sexual assault, stabbing
Weaponshandgun, fire, knife
Deaths1
Injured1
VictimsTyler Pelke, aged 14
Curtis Klassen, aged 15
PerpetratorEarl Giesbrecht
Motiverevenge
ConvictionsMurder & Attempted Murder (2 counts)

The Altona murder occurred in Altona, Manitoba, Canada, on November 17, 1990. Curtis Klassen, aged 15, was murdered by 17-year-old Earl Giesbrecht. Another teen, Tyler Pelke, aged 14, survived great bodily injuries and alerted authorities.

Geisbrecht was arrested shortly after, and confessed to the murder. Despite being a juvenile offender, he was prosecuted and convicted to life in prison. Thirty years later, in 2020, Giesbrecht was granted a conditional release. The murder and subsequent release of the perpetrator gained attention from Canadian media.