'Senseless and tragic': Accused killer of Saskatoon mother of two was common-law partner

Tracy Brown says her sister's death, Saskatoon's first homicide of the year, was "senseless and tragic."

Tammy Brown, 39, was found dead in her home in the River Heightsneighbourhood Tuesday morning.

Blake Schreiner was arrested on scene and later charged with second-degree murder.

Schreiner was Tammy's common-law partner. The homicideleft behind two young children the couple had together, Tracy said.

"[Tammy] was very smart and she loved her kids more than anything," Tracy said Friday outside Saskatoon Provincial Court after a video court appearance by Schreiner, who was in Saskatoon Correctional Centre.

Tracy issued a statement on behalf of the family saying they have been devastated by the senseless loss of Tammy.

Go Fund Me campaign launched

Tammy had been a professor at SIAST.

Former coworkers started aGo Fund Mecampaign, Tracy said. The page, called "Tammy Brown's children's education fund," has already raised more than $15,500 in the day since it was started.

Its description says Tammy's colleagues and friends wanted to "raise money for the two beautiful children that lost their mom this week," specifically for their future education because Tammy was so passionate about it.

"We hope that her children will grow up with similar passions in their own field of interest and we want to help them get there," the Go Fund Me page reads.

Emotional court appearance

Seats quickly filled in the emotionally-charged courtroom. Tammy was originally from Creighton, Sask. Tracy, her parents and other family members travelled to attend court. They numbered more than a dozen.

The familyshed tears as Schreiner's face appeared on the screen.

He appeared composed as he asked for a transfer to Prince Albert Correctional Centre.

The judge said that's not something she has control of, to which Schreiner responded, "understood."

Schreiner's duty counsel from Legal Aid did not say whether or not he will be seeking bail but indicated that they would need to set a new date at the Court of Queen's Bench if Schreiner indicates he wants to be released.

The next appearance isscheduled forFebruary 15.