Funeral for couple found dead in Ottawa backyard
Friends and family of an Ottawa couple found killed in their backyard in November gathered Saturday morning to say a final goodbye.The couple's 22-year-old son has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Dave Rogers, 69, a retired Ottawa Citizen reporter, and Merrill Gleddie Rogers, 63, a retired federal public servant, had been married for 34 years.
Barbara Martin, the couple's friend, said both were "kind and generous" people ahead of the funeral at the Metropolitan Bible Church on Prince of Wales Drive. She said she felt "haunted by the whole tragedy."
Martin, who worked with Merrill Gleddie Rogers at the department formerly called Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, said the pair bonded over the fact they both adopted sons.
"They were devoted to their son. He was the centre of their lives," she said.
Cameron Rogers was adopted in 1994, according to the couple's obituary.
"Merrill and Dave enjoyed a wonderful 34 year marriage full of love and joy. The time Merrill and Dave spent with us was much too short but we will always cherish our memories and hold them close to our hearts," the obituary said, adding that the couple "shared many interests and passions including cycling, travel, skiing, and gardening."
David Martin, Barbara's 26-year-old son, said he helped the couple and their son take down the family's gazebo for the winter just a few weeks ago. He described Cameron Rogers as quiet.
"Is it real?" he said of the sudden deaths. "It's hard to understand what exactly happened."
Cameron Rogers was arrested in Montreal on Nov. 28 after calling police. Montreal police alerted Ottawa police that something might be wrong at 1614 Apeldoorn Ave. in Carlington Heights. Ottawa police found the couple that night but said their bodies had been there for some time.
Lawyer Christian Deslauriers said in November that he was considering the defence that his client, Cameron Rogers, is not criminally responsible for killing his parents due to mental health issues. He added that he must review the evidence before making a decision.
A homicide investigator told CBC News on Saturday that the accused killer has since hired a new lawyer.
