WARNING: This story incorporates references to suicide.
A 77-year-old woman was discovered lifeless in her mattress in a Hamilton condominium final week after she was stabbed by a 51-year-old neighbour, who then took his personal life, Hamilton police confirmed Monday.
Her dying marks the town’s seventh murder this 12 months.
CBC Hamilton just isn’t naming the lady as police have been unable to achieve her household. She had been residing within the condominium for at the very least six months.
Det. Frank De Vuono recognized the 51-year-old as Derek Emmons, whose household has been notified.
Police mentioned Emmons’s physique was discovered beside the lady on the mattress. He had been residing within the adjoining condominium for a month.
Police, hearth and emergency medical companies had been known as to the three-storey condominium constructing at 112 Ottawa St. N. on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET as a part of a well-being examine and discovered the door barricaded.
De Vuono mentioned the doorways had been tied and furnishings was blocking them. Responders discovered the 2 folks lifeless after forcing an entry.
Hamilton police say one individual was killed and one other individual was discovered lifeless in an condominium unit on Ottawa Road North on Aug. 8, 2024. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)
De Vuono mentioned a knife was recovered from the scene. Police additionally mentioned the 2 weren’t in a romantic relationship and never identified to one another.
Each lived within the constructing’s basement stage. The detective mentioned the 2 models are separated by a hallway unit. In the back of the models are doorways that connect with a standard hallway, which exits out the rear door of the constructing.
De Vuono mentioned he could not converse to a motive, however the investigation is ongoing. He mentioned digital proof nonetheless must be reviewed they usually’re interviewing witnesses.
How police are in search of a motive
Police additionally plan to overview surveillance video in the world.
“It is actually laborious to discover a motive with no data on the subject of a previous relationship or any kind of pressure between the 2,” De Vuono mentioned.
“However I am hoping by the overview of the digital proof we’ll have the ability to discover one thing and have the ability to give the sufferer’s household, if we discover them, an thought of why this occurred.”
Police do not consider there are another suspects.
Emmons lived within the condominium with a roommate, police mentioned. The roommate died earlier this month, however police mentioned his dying is unrelated to the 77-year-old woman’s dying and is not being thought of suspicious.
Nadia Ishmail owns a boutique throughout the road from the condominium constructing and instructed reporters the constructing the place the killing occurred is a quiet one.
“This isn’t an area or an space the place we would anticipate something to be drastic like this,” Ishmail mentioned.
In case you’re experiencing suicidal ideas or having a psychological well being disaster, there may be assist on the market:
Trans Lifeline – 1-877-330-6366. It gives full anonymity and confidentiality. The Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 (telephone) | 45645 (Textual content, 4 p.m. to midnight ET solely) | crisisservicescanada.ca. Youngsters Assist Telephone: 1-800-668-6868. You may also textual content CONNECT to 686868 and get quick help from a disaster responder by the Disaster Textual content Line, powered by Youngsters Assist Telephone. Stay Chat counselling at www.kidshelpphone.ca. In Quebec (French): Affiliation Québécoise de prévention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553) Canadian Affiliation for Suicide Prevention: Discover a 24-hour disaster centre. COAST — 905-972-8338 or Toll Free: 1-844-972-8338.
