Violent death of musician leaves friends in shock

Fans of Central Alberta musician Hugh Frank Oswald, who they knew as Ron, were shocked to hear about his horrific death.

Firefighters found Oswald’s body inside a minivan that was engulfed in flames near Rimbey on April 10.

Two women, who appeared in Wetaskiwin provincial court on Thursday, face charges in Oswald’s death.

Carlea Wetheral, 38, of no fixed address, is charged with first-degree murder, indignity to a human body, and arson to a motor vehicle. She is scheduled to return to court on May 8 to enter a plea.

Gale Rhonda Van Oosterhout, 47, of Westerose, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, indignity to a human body, and arson to a motor vehicle. She returns to court on May 1 to enter her plea.

Oswald’s friend Linda Roth said it took some time for people to realize the man who was murdered was the guitar player they saw on stage in the band Doc Holiday and house bands at the Sylvan Lake Hotel, the Arlington Hotel, and other bars around Central Alberta.

“Everyone was talking about him yesterday. So many people have seen him play. Anyone that knew him would be shocked,” Roth said.

“He could do amazing guitar and he also sang. He was such a talent,” said Roth, who had known Oswald for about 12 years.

Oswald, 57, was known for his country, rock and blues playing.

Originally from Texas, Oswald fought in the Vietnam War before coming to Canada. He leaves behind family in Central Alberta.

The last time Roth saw Oswald was a few months ago.

She was asking around to find out where he would be on stage next when she heard of the tragedy.

“I kept thinking I’d see him play. He’s always playing somewhere. And then somebody told me he was dead.”

Don Heater, head bartender at the Arlington Hotel, said Oswald worked as the audio technician at the hotel and lived in a hotel suite until last July, when he moved to the Eckville area.

The last time Heater saw him was in early April when Oswald stopped in at the Arlington.

“He was a pretty upstanding guy. He especially got along with all the musicians. He’d help them out, if they had a problem. He was very good that way,” Heater said.

Unfortunately, Oswald was “heavy into the drug scene” and one of the reasons he left the Arlington was to clean up, Heater said.

Matt Waters, a Doc Holiday member who played with Oswald for at least five years, said his friend battled drug addiction.

“I think he was having a tough go at it, trying to get away from it all,” said Waters, who last saw Oswald when they played at the end of October at the Big Valley Inn.

“He was very conscientious and kind, a hell of a musician. He really enjoyed playing his own original music.”

Waters has been putting a new band together and was searching for Oswald.

“My drummer and I were trying to find him. It was kind of like he just dropped off the end of the earth. And then we heard the news.”

He said police were able to identify Oswald through the registration of the torched vehicle. It led them to a friend Oswald lived with back in October.

Waters didn’t know if or how Oswald knew the women charged in his death. He is waiting for the details of the crime to come out in court.

“He’ll be sadly missed. He was a great friend and musician.”

A memorial for Oswald will be held at the Sylvan Lake Funeral Home today at 2 p.m.

Contact Susan Zielinski at szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com