Alberta oilpatch vandal Wiebo Ludwig was released from jail Wednesday, after serving two-thirds of his sentence for blowing up a wellsite. He spoke briefly to reporters, saying only, "Jail changes people."

When Ludwig reached his home near Hythe, Alta., there were balloons, streamers and ribbons waving in the breeze to welcome him. His family rushed to him and hugged and kissed him.

Wiebo Ludwig
Wiebo Ludwig

Ludwig was convicted last year on five charges, but some community members are still concerned about the unsolved death of a local teenager on his property.

Sixteen-year-old Karman Willis was shot during a joy ride on Ludwig's land in 1999, and his neighbours don't want him to forget her.

Ludwig turned over the rifle that fired the fatal shot, but none of his 30 followers living on his Trickle Creek farm would say who pulled the trigger.

Gisela Everton placed a large sign on her property, an area Ludwig will have to pass when he arrives home. It says "Remember Karman. Turn away from evil and do good."

Everton says the community wants answers from Ludwig, who served 19 months.

"They have said many times they want peace with the neighbours. Well, for us, the only way that can really happen is to have Karman's death resolved."

The RCMP say as far as they're concerned, Ludwig has served his time.