David Zaharchuk

David John Zaharchuk (June 23, 1958-January 1 1993) was a student at UW when he was brutally murdered in Engineering 1.

Time at UW
At the time of the murder, Zaharchuk was 34 years old and was completing his PhD thesis in Metallurgy.

Murder
For the full story of the murder and its investigation, see The Murder of David Zaharchuk.

Kris Warkentin was a student who was drunk and upset at being alone on New Year's Eve. He had been in a fight with his wife and came to the computer labs in Engineering 1 when he discovered that his account had been deactivated over Christmas Break. Angry, he found a wrench and began smashing windows of classrooms.

Between approximately 2:20 a.m. and 2:45 a.m., hearing the noise Warkentin was making, David Zaharchuk went to investigate and upon leaving the lab he was working in, confronted Warkentin. He was subsequently beaten to death with the wrench.

Student Security Patrol Officers discovered the body in the hallway immediately outside the door to room 1535.

After Police investigation lead to Kris Warkentin becoming the prime suspect, Kris turned himself in on February 1, 1993.

Warkentin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter.

Aftermath
David Zaharchuk was granted a PhD posthumously.

A bursary was set up in his memory for graduate students of any faculty.