‘I just shot and killed him’: Mountie texted wife after lover’s death

One of the more startling text messages was sent by Bernie to his wife on the evening of Braden’s death, and was the last time he spoke to her before his arrest. After claiming Braden has “gone too far this time” and that he’s had enough, Bernie criticized his wife for believing lies and then says her life was about to permanently change.

“I just shot and killed him and I won’t be around for it … love you my wife and tell my kids also,” he wrote.

Roughly an hour and a half prior to that text message, court heard Bernie called Braden 19 times over a 20-minute time span. Many of the calls went unanswered and Bernie continued calling.

A close friend of Braden Herman told paNOW he was previously exposed to violence at the hands of Bernie, while living at his Prince Albert residence. (submitted photo)

According to testimony heard in court earlier this week, Bernie and Braden met roughly five years ago through Facebook and built a friendship by attending hockey games and going out for coffee.

Within a few months of meeting, Braden was invited to live at the family’s home and slept in the basement. Court heard the accused occasionally shared a bed with Braden to ease his anxiety.

When Janice Herman testified on Tuesday, she expressed how hurt she was by her husband’s actions and a text message she sent her husband in 2020, supported that.

“While you were having the time of your life in our basement, I was upstairs crying for you,” she said.

Braden was asked to leave the home in 2019, but the retrieved cellphone data indicates the intimate affair continued and there were various pleas by Janice asking her husband to end the relationship.

“You have no respect for me. You want him, not me,” another message read.

Within the text messages read in court, there’s been repeated examples of marital issues and an alleged affair between Bernie and Braden. “You two can have each other”, “How do you think I (expletive) feel about that” @princealbertnow

— nigel maxwell (@nigelmaxwell) December 6, 2023

Various Snapchat conversations between Braden and Bernie made references to sexual acts, but there were also several messages from Braden referring to Bernie being too afraid to admit his sexual preference.

“I’m not embarrassed to say I (expletive) you,” he said, usually referring to Bernie as to “my love.”

While there was tension for months between Braden and Janice, there was a point where they appear to reconcile. They were seen together shortly before Braden’s death.

In earlier testimony, court heard from Janice Herman that Braden continually harassed her and her husband. However a close friend of Braden’s reached out to paNOW and explained after Braden moved from Bernie’s Prince Albert home to his hometown of La Loche, Bernie followed him. And when Braden attempted to block Bernie, Bernie found alternative ways to contact him.

Throughout the proceedings this week, Bernie Herman has remained calm in the prisoner’s box and listened attentively to the testimony, not showing any visible emotions. When certain dates of the text messages were entered into the record, Herman shifted in his seat.

Defence is slated to present its case later this week. It’s unclear at this time if the accused will testify.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘I just shot and killed him’: Mountie texted wife after lover’s death

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