BEHIND THE CRIMES: Family, friend seek answers in ‘Soldier’s’ unsolved murder
Kurt McKechnie’s nickname was “Soldier.”
It was a moniker earned among friends for his 17 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, where, according to brother Todd, he served in Kuwait and France, was part of Desert Storm and helped bring down the Berlin Wall while stationed in Germany.
That is the man Todd remembers.
Harold Smith had known Kurt since Grade 4, when he started a friendship with him at Ryerson Public School in Cambridge. That kinship stayed intact through their years at Preston High School and post-secondary, as Kurt was a regular in the crowd when Smith’s band — he played with Andy Curran, Soho 69, Just Alice, Quintana RU and Roller — played the Matador, the Coronet or Nicholson’s Tavern.
“He was always standing right in front of me just headbanging like a nut.”
That is the man Smith remembers.
Unfortunately, most people remember Kurt as the first 2019 homicide in Waterloo region.
Kurt, 56, died in hospital from multiple gunshot wounds on Jan. 31 after he was shot at his girlfriend’s home on Southwood Drive, in the Surrey Gardens complex, at approximately 6:25 a.m.
Waterloo region police had little to go on initially. One theory was the shooting was part of a botched robbery. Some neighbours believe it was a targeted killing, which police later corroborated.
Police released a video on Feb. 13, 2019, showing an SUV, which they believed was used by four perpetrators, parking near Kurt’s girlfriend’s unit. The four were seen leaving the townhouse just before 6:30 a.m. and on video fleeing the area.
Todd questioned the short video released by police, as he said he saw a longer version recorded by a friend that showed the men “running in and running out.” A month later, the video disappeared from the cellphones of those who had it.
Todd added Kurt also had his apartment broken into 10 days prior to his murder. Police arrested someone in that case.
The trail has since gone cold. In April 2019, Police Chief Bryan Larkin held a media roundtable about outstanding homicides in the region, which at the time included Helen Schaller, and said it was only a matter of time before investigators found the shooters.
“I have a very clear message to anybody involved in those crimes,” Larkin said.
“We encourage you, if you’re following the media, watching the media, we encourage you, with your counsel, to come forward and turn yourself in … because our major crime team, our investigators, are active, and we will find those responsible for these crimes and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the Criminal Code of Canada.”
Schaller’s killer was found and shot himself when cornered by police. Kurt’s murder has yet to be solved.
“We continue to appeal to the public,” said Const. Ashley Dietrich, police’s public information officer.
“At this point, these appeals have not led to significant information that would move this investigation forward.
“We have received limited information and we believe there are people who know what happened to Mr. McKechnie, or who have information that would assist investigators. We believe that there are witnesses or people with information that have not come forward for a variety of reasons.”
Continuing to investigate a homicide that occurred last month in Cambridge. Looking for information on this vehicle and 4 individuals seen in the area at the time. Call police or with info.
— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday)
The stall in the investigation has frustrated Todd and his son Kyle. Noting Kurt had substance abuse issues since the end of his military duty due to post traumatic stress disorder — he also had a prescription for medical marijuana — Kyle believes his uncle’s lifestyle choices is why police are not “pursuing it a little bit more.”
“I think that’s the reason why they’re kind of trying to sweep it under the rug. You know what I mean? It’s one less dirt bag for them to worry about,” he said.
“It feels like just another soldier f—— getting thrown under the bus.”
The loss of his uncle is still very raw. As is the loss of a brother.
“I try to suppress it but sometimes it gets to me. It’s pretty traumatic,” said Todd, noting he found out about his brother when a friend called, beating the inevitable phone call from his mother.
“I have a lot of questions I’d like to ask, and nobody will return my call or anything. It feels like they don’t care. I want people to know my brother wasn’t always in trouble. He served our frickin’ country.”
Hoping investigators get the break they’re looking for, Todd holds onto the times the pair went fishing, camping and to concerts. He also brags about the athlete Kurt was as a teen, starring at Preston High School in track and field, football and hockey. He said Kurt also broke the high jump record for the Canadian Armed Forces when they were in France.
Smith also knew another side of Kurt, the one of a “tough” guy in town, but not one to go looking for trouble.
“If you’re from Preston, everybody knew who Kurt McKechnie was,” Smith said with a laugh.
“If you were hanging out with him, no one would bother you. He could fight. Back in the day, every little town had their scrappers, well, Kurt was one of them. But he was the nicest guy. He would do anything for you.”
That’s why it doesn’t surprise Smith that it took four people to “get the best of him.”
But Kurt was also into music, with AC/DC and their lead singer Bon Scott being his favourite. Being at shows are memories Smith holds dear.
“That’s what I want to remember about him. You hear stuff over the years and you’re like, well, if that’s what he’s into then that’s what he’s into. But the way I look at it is I don’t care who you are or what you’re into, you don’t deserve to get shot and die.”
Smith said the last time he saw Kurt was seven years ago when he had just come off a MuchMusic road show and was walking out of Scotiabank in downtown Preston. He saw Kurt coming down the street and the pair hugged.
Five years ago, Smith moved to Calgary. He didn’t see Kurt again.
Smith would like some resolution in his friend’s death.
“It’s just sad,” he said.
“You hear stories and I don’t know what’s true and what’s not true, but I’m just shocked nobody is coming forward.”
Anyone with information can speak with investigators at
ext. 8191 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at.
