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Deaths of Sunnybrook residents confirmed as murder-suicide

Red Deer RCMP confirmed the deaths of two elderly Sunnybrook residents are the result of a murder-suicide.It is Red Deer’s fourth homicide of the year.

Red Deer RCMP confirmed the deaths of two elderly Sunnybrook residents are the result of a murder-suicide.

It is Red Deer’s fourth homicide of the year.

RCMP Supt. Brian Simpson said on Friday that the names of the couple, who lived on Salisbury Avenue, will still not be released.

“The big thing is there’s no public danger in this matter. There is no previous history with the police or any indication of any history of abuse,” Simpson said.

Simpson believes neither of the deceased was seriously ill.

“Out of respect for the family, that’s where we’re sitting at with it.”

On Sunday at 9:15 a.m., police were called to the home after the woman, 93, and man, 89, were discovered by family members.

The deaths probably occurred within 14 hours of the time they were discovered, he said.

An autopsy was completed on Tuesday.

Simpson said there are great community supports available and promoted in Red Deer to try to prevent tragedies like a murder-suicide, he said.

“But the key is people need to reach out or need to avail themselves of the services. A lot of times that’s a personal choice and unfortunately people choose not to.”

Simpson said homicides in the city are on the rise, but charges have been laid in two of three outstanding cases.

In January, William McDonald, 40, originally of Miramichi, N.B., was found dead in a Fairview residence. Martin Munro, 36, also originally from Miramichi, N.B., and Jolyn Ten Hove, 37, of Red Deer, are charged with second-degree murder.

In April, the body of Jenna Cartwright, 21, of Red Deer, was discovered in a ditch about 14 km northeast of Olds.

“(The murder) was determined to have happened in Red Deer based on the evidence to date,” Simpson said.

Bashir Gaashaan, 29, of no fixed address, is charged with first-degree murder of Cartwright.

The shooting death of Oscar Salazar, 22, in Highland Green on Aug. 2 remains unsolved.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com

— copyright Red Deer Advocate