Mahone Bay deaths linked to intimate partner violence, RCMP say
60-year-old victim is fifth woman in four months to be killed by her male partner in Nova Scotia
The deaths of two people whose bodies were discovered by police at a home in Mahone Bay, N.S., were the result of a murder-suicide where a man killed his intimate partner, according to RCMP.
RCMP said officers found the remains of a 60-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man Sunday afternoon in a home on Long Hill Road after someone asked police to check on the pair.
Cpl. Chris Marshall, an investigator on the case, said officers are still trying to piece together the circumstances leading up to the deaths, but there's no indication of any prior reports to police about abuse.
The man did not have a criminal record for violence, and police have no information to suggest he was mentally ill, he said.
"Our investigation is only four or five days old, so we're working on trying to establish what precipitated the event," he said in an interview.
Marshall, who is with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, said the man killed his partner and himself with a long gun. The firearm was legal. Police have not released the names of the two people who died.
A friend called police after not hearing from the couple, Marshall said. Officers went to the home and found the bodies. Investigators are still working on a timeline, but believe the pair died hours, not days, before they were discovered.
The victim is the fifth woman in four months in Nova Scotia to be killed by her male partner before he took his own life.
- On Dec. 31, Corelee "Alisha" Smith, 40, was killed alongside her father, Bradford "Coy" Downey, in Halifax by her partner.
- On Nov. 7, a 71-year-old Cole Harbour woman was killed by her husband in their home.
- On Nov. 1, a 49-year-old Yarmouth woman was killed by her partner in their home.
- On Oct. 18, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, 59, was killed by her husband, a retired RCMP officer, in their Enfield home.
The Nova Scotia legislature adopted a bill in September declaring domestic violence an epidemic in the province.
Coalition files letter to government
Liz LeClair, a gender-based violence advocate, told CBC News that on Thursday morning, a group of advocates and frontline workers sent an open letter to the government. She said the coalition is increasingly concerned about the frequency of deaths as a result of intimate partner violence.
The letter is addressed to Minister Leah Martin, who is responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act, and Justice Minister Becky Druhan. It outlines a need for urgency when addressing the "escalating violence against women" in Nova Scotia.
"Our organizations have observed an alarming increase in violence across our communities, and we want to meet with the government to address this crisis without delay," the letter reads.
"It is now imperative for the government to clearly and transparently demonstrate its next steps in addressing the [intimate partner violence] epidemic."
LeClair said with the delivery of the letter, the hope is government officials, including Premier Tim Houston, will sit and speak with the coalition to open up lines of communication.
"We are not in relationship with the premier or these ministers. They continue to put a barrier between us and the decision makers and we're not seeing any tangible action happening," she said. "We haven't seen it for four years. ... Until we sit down with them, I'm not really sure what they're prepared to come to the table with."
She said some of the work that needs to be done on the part of the government includes increasing operational funding to organizations that tackle intimate partner violence, installing accountability mechanisms for responses to intimate partner violence and pushing educational campaigns, all of which are recommendations from the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's final report and the national action plan to end gender-based violence.
Ann de Ste Croix, the provincial co-ordinator of Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS), echoed the sentiment and said the recent cases of intimate partner violence in the province have been "deeply alarming."
She said the passing of the bill declaring domestic violence an epidemic was a step in the right direction to tackling the issue, but tangible action is needed.
This should include more funding to frontline organizations that provide intervention and prevention services, as well as support survivors of abusive relationships, she said.
She added a holistic approach is key in addressing intimate partner violence, which includes improving access to affordable housing.
"I think it demands a renewed sense of urgency from all of us, that would include government, community organizations, individuals, because I think it does truly take a whole of society approach," Ste Croix said.
Later on Thursday in an interview with CBC News, Druhan confirmed that she will be meeting with the coalition of community organizers. She added, however, she doesn't know when the meeting will take place, nor could she confirm if Houston would be a part of the meeting.
Druhan pointed to some of the work the province has done so far to address the issue, including increasing funding for transition housing for those escaping violent relationships.
"We fully understand that addressing intimate partner violence is a complex challenge that requires a society-wide response," Druhan said. "That means our partners and community need to be involved. It means our government partners at the municipal and federal level need to be involved."
In an emailed statement, Druhan added that this year "[the] government increased core funding for transition houses by $7.1 million, the first significant funding increase in 20 years, and bringing the total amount of core funding provided to $16.9 million."
One of the signatories of the letter said that may not be enough.
"There has been underfunding for years," said Sue Bookchin, executive director of the Be the Peace Institute, in an interview with Mainstreet Nova Scotia's Preston Mulligan.
"While that sounds like a lot, it's distributed among many community organizations and a lot of it is project-based. You have a year or three years to do a project and then when the money is gone, the project ends."
Bookchin added that not having access to core funding has impeded the sector's ability to meet client needs and work with the government on systemic solutions.
For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
- A list of transition houses across Nova Scotia.
- Family violence resources helpline 1-855-225-0220.
- The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website.
- Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
- This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
With files from Nicola Seguin, Danielle Edwards, Richard Cuthbertson
