Almond Lush is dead...

[JPMS GT]

Brian Wellard was murdered in his Winnipeg, Manitoba home. [:I] His PT as many will remember,"RebelPT", was realy retro. His last post here was Sept.9 "Uncle Same and the Arab" There is a lot posted on PTE. Just thought I'd let you know.[V]

John

[KingKole02]

Why would someone kill a 68 year old retired man in his own home. Must not have been expected. I hope he put up a fight.

This is sad, I first saw his pt on another site and wrote how I liked it. Then he showed up here. I will miss his ride showing up on here for sure. Even thought he didn't post much he was nice to talk to. [V]

Now Im mad.

[Gary04GT]

WINNIPEG SUN NEWSPAPER
Thursday, September 23, 2004

Investigators sift life for motive to murder
Detectives seek public's help

By ROCHELLE SQUIRES, STAFF REPORTER


The city's 21st homicide victim of 2004 was a kind and caring man -- but it's easy to see why he may have had an enemy, says a former neighbour. Brian Alexander Wellard, a 67-year-old retired school bus driver, was an interim superintendent at his downtown apartment building, said Tim Ross, who came to know the senior while serving on the building's board of directors.

"Brian was the archetypical cantankerous old man with a heart of gold," Ross, 31, told The Sun.

"A superintendent is going to piss some people right off, and he didn't have a problem with that."

Wellard's body was discovered in his suite at The Colonnade at 77 Edmonton St., about 10:30 a.m. Monday, after a neighbour called cops.

It's believed he was beaten to death.

Homicide detectives were asking for the public's help in piecing together the final days of Wellard's life.

"We're hoping that someone will come forward who has had contact with him who might be able to suggest to us what may have happened," said Winnipeg police spokeswoman Const. Shelly Glover.

"We are relying on the public to be our eyes and our ears and to help us solve this crime."


HE WAS AN AIDS SUPPORT-CENTRE VOLUNTEER

Wellard was also a volunteer handyman at Nine Circles Community Health Centre, a clinic that provides support for people who are HIV-positive or affected by AIDS.

Friends and co-workers at the clinic wouldn't say why Wellard was concerned with AIDS-related issues, only that he had taken to heart issues surrounding the disease.

"He did handyman jobs around the agency, like hanging up pictures and odd jobs," said John Stinson, the executive director at the clinic.

Wellard had been volunteering at the clinic at 705 Broadway for about three years and was well-liked among the staff.

The senior was also very computer savvy and was interested in digital photography. Using his skills and equipment, Wellard would design a calendar featuring photos of his three cats to give out at Christmas.

Wellard was a member of the PT Cruiser Club of Manitoba and owned a 2003 Almond-coloured PT Cruiser nicknamed Rebel PT. He was also part of an Internet club called CarDomain.com and had a web page.

Allan Labossiere from St. Boniface Collision and Refinishers Ltd. did several customized enhancements to Wellard's car and said it was the senior's most prized possession.

Wellard often had his customized PT Cruiser at local car shows. Enhancements included a refinished 1941 Cadillac Hood Goddess mounted on the hood, whitewall tires and a set of handcuffs hanging from the rear-view mirror.

Anyone who has had contact with Wellard between last Thursday and Monday is asked to call homicide detectives at 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).

[Mike-in-Orange]

Oh my god! I had heard that he passed away, and I was of course very saddened by the news. But to think he was murdered just angers me! As the article says, he was the super of his building......but I'll never understand how some people react to situations. I mean, what the hell could he possibly have done to illicit such a reaction from someone? I'll reserve comment on what I think should happen to the cretin(s) who did this to such a good man.

[JPMS GT]

Thanks, Gary, you always come through with the details. We all realy appreciate that. I understand that "Rebel PT" will get an 'In Memorial' place in the 2005 PT Cruiser Calendar along with several other PT owners who are no longer with us. Rock on you guys and gals![?]

[KingKole02]

My thought exactly, a man who gave back to his community. Why kill this person. I hope they find out why.

[Jimbo]

This world is full of sick people.Your not even safe in your own home.Hope they catch the SOB.

[sakigt]

What?? I thought he had a heart attack or something. Quite a detail to leave out [V]