NL RCMP chargeJennifer Hillier-Penney’s estranged husband with 1st-degree murder in her 2016 death

Jennifer Hillier-Penney and Dean Penney were high school sweethearts and had their first daughter when Jennifer 17.

Fifty-year-old Dean Penney has been charged with first-degree murder in the November 2016 death of his estranged wife Jennifer Hillier-Penney. Newfoundland RCMP arrested him on Dec. 15.

Jennifer, then 38, was last seen Nov. 30, 2016, at Dean’s house on Husky Drive in St. Anthony. In mid-November she had left him and moved in with her father in Saint Lunaire-Griquet.

That day, she had left work at the hospital and was at his home caring for her and Dean’s youngest daughter and he was out duck hunting at his cabin in Northwest Arm, which is about 45 minutes away.

Earlier that day, Jennifer and her sister Yvonne Hillier-Decker had dinner with their father. He had just lost his wife to an illness and his children were helping take care for him. Afterwards, Jennifer drove Yvonne to an appointment at St. Anthony hospital, which was about a three-minute drive from her estranged husband’s home.

During the drive, Jennifer got a strange phone call from Dean, Yvonne had told media.

“She answered the phone and it was Dean and he was saying, ‘Are you coming home now?’ And Jennifer said ‘Yes, I’m coming, I’m coming home now,’ [he said.] ‘But are you coming right now? Are you coming home?’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘I’m coming home right now, in a few minutes I’ll be home.’”

She was texting a man that night, who was a former colleague, who had recently divorced.

RCMP say Jennifer got to Dean’s house around 8 p.m. Jennifer and Dean’s second daughter, Deana Penney, got home after her 9:30 p.m. and didn’t check in with her mom.

Jennifer Hillier-Penney and Dean Penney were high school sweethearts and had their first daughter, Marina, when Jennifer was only 17, according to media reports.

Photo: Jennifer Hillier-Penney and Dean Penney were high school sweethearts and had their first daughter, Marina, when Jennifer was only 17.

In a news conference held Saturday at RCMP NL Headquarters, Inspector Tracy Edwards, Officer in Charge of Investigative Support Services, provided media an update on the investigation, which was launched after Hillier-Penney disappeared from St. Anthony on Nov. 30, 2016.

“Seven years of investigative diligence have brought us to this point,” said Inspector Edwards.

“From the beginning, our goal has been to get answers for Jennifer’s loved ones and to bring anyone responsible for her disappearance to justice. I commend the RCMP NL Major Crime Unit, which led this investigation, and the St. Anthony Detachment for its support. On behalf of the RCMP, I extend deepest condolences to Jennifer’s family and friends.”

Jennifer’s remains haven’t been found and investigators say they continue to follow all leads related to the possible location of her remains.

Dean Penney appeared in Corner Brook provincial court Saturday and has been remanded into custody.

Inspector Edwards spoke to the length of time that has passed since the disappearance of Hillier-Penney.

“We acknowledge that seven years is a long time to go without answers,” said Inspector Edwards. “The anguish felt by Jennifer’s loved ones and the community was always top of mind as we worked our way through a complex investigation that began with ruling out all reasonable explanations for Jennifer’s disappearance and then moving to identifying the person criminally responsible. These investigations take time, cannot be rushed and must be pursued with diligence and a commitment to investigative excellence.”

This significant update comes, coincidentally, just after the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.

This type of violence can take many forms – physical, sexual, emotional and psychological. It knows no social, economic or geographical boundaries.

The RCMP encourages anyone who feels unsafe or uncertain about their safety to reach out to police and/or community organizations for support and assistance. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there is a province-wide Domestic Violence Help Line, 1-888-709-7090, which is also text enabled.

Callers can access assistance and connection with services in their area.

contact@criminalsamongus.ca