Friend sheds light on man accused in Wilkie murder

A long-time friend of Wesley Veit is sharing his personal experience with the man now accused of killing his estranged wife.

Wesley John Veit is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Heidi Veit, an educational assistant and wrestling coach from Wilkie, Sask.

“Very easy-going guy, good worker. I never had complaints about the guy, until this whole thing started to manifest,” said friend Leslie Kroschinski.

“He was a perfect man before that.”

Kroschinski is Wesley’s neighbour and the reeve of the RM of Buffalo. Heidi’s body was found somewhere in the rural municipality Tuesday.

While RCMP haven’t released specifics on where the body was located, or the cause of death, Kroschinski told 650 CKOM the discovery was made on the acreage owned by Wesley. 

The reeve told 650 CKOM his friend was employed by the rural municipality for the last two years as a maintenance man – driving tractors, cutting grass and putting up signs.

“He’d help anybody – all you had to do is ask. He’s kind,” Kroschinski said, adding Wesley helped each year as the community Santa Claus.

“The man had a very good life and was a happy-go-lucky fella.”

Kroschinski said Wesley and Heidi were married for about 15 years and had a child together. He added Heidi originally moved to The Battlefords from the east coast with a child from a previous relationship.

Friends of Heidi’s from Wilkie said the town is still reeling from the tragedy. Others paid tribute online, remembering her as a good mother.

According to the reeve, the couple separated sometime around August 2016 and Heidi left with the children.

“She did not treat him good,” Kroschinski said. “He was very vocal about it all – he would tell people what was going on in his life. I don’t know if he was looking for sympathy or advice or what.”

Kroschinski described financial disagreements between the estranged pair as being a main source of tension.

The StarPhoenix reported Friday that a document filed at North Battleford Provincial Court stated Wesley was under a court order “not to go to the residence or school of Heidi and their son.”

According to the report, Wesley had previously been charged with two counts of theft under $5,000 and one count of dangerous driving.

Kroschinski said opinions on social media have been quick to draw conclusions, and hopes his friend will be given a fair chance as the matter winds through the courts.

Wesley Veit made his first appearance on the murder charge at North Battleford Provincial Court Friday. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear next on Tuesday.  

– With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker.