Schmidt, John Henry (1920-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 3 p. 1

Birth date: 1920

text of obituary:

SLAYER OF PARENTS SISTERS & BROTHER ENDS OWN LIFE

Winkler, Manitoba. — One of the most tragic murder cases in Manitoba history came to a close April 19 when John Henry Schmidt, 31, ended his own life by hanging in the Headingly jail.

Four days earlier he had taken the lives of his parents, Henry and Sarah Schmidt, two sisters and a brother at their farm home in the Graysville district. All were shot with a hunting rifle. An hour later the younger brother gave himself up, but reportedly never gave any indication of the reason for his action.

Over 2,000 persons attended the multiple funeral services for the five victims at the Carman United church on April 19. Bishop David Schulz of Altona officiated, and burial was made in the Carman cemetery.