
Purple bench honours woman tragically murdered in Midland, Ont.
Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual
A purple lumber bench stands along the Midland harbor honouring, Julia Brady, a local woman who was tragically murdered earlier this year.
Tuesday's unveiling reflected on all victims of abuse committed by intimate partners.
23-year-old Brady was found dead inside a Seventh Street Midland apartment complex, where police confirmed her boyfriend, Justus Chester, was later taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.
Julia's loved ones told CTV News back in March that she lived in the apartment unit with the accused. The two started dating in the spring after meeting on the dating app Tinder. Two months later she was killed.
Julia Brady
A purple lumber bench stands along the Midland harbor honouring, Julia Brady, a local woman who was tragically murdered earlier this year. (Supplied)
This memorial site is part of a national project that aims to support victims and inspire change. Each bench is placed in a public space within the community. The Purple Bench Program launched back in 2015 all began after the tragic death of Barbara Baillie, who was murdered by her husband in 1990.
Huronia Transition Homes made this project entirely possible. Through the 2025 Town Park Bench Program, Midland staff were able to secure purple composite lumber as a pilot to test the feasibility.
As part of this tribute, the team also secured two purple Muskoka chairs to accompany the memorial.
The project was revealed during a community event where families and supporters came together to raise awareness and show their solidarity.
With files from CTV's Mike Arsalides.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
Investigation underway into fatal collision early Saturday in Carstairs
An investigation is underway into a fatal collision that took place early Saturday morning in Carstairs. At 6 a.m. that day, Didsbury and Airdrie RCMP responded to reports of a single vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 581 in Carstairs. Arriving officers, along with fire and other first responders, discovered that the lone occupant of the vehicle, a 53-year-old Calgary resident, was dead. The cause of the collision is under investigation.


CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Man punched cougar in the face to fend off attack, B.C. officials say
A worker in northern B.C. was attacked by a cougar Saturday morning, according to officials. The man encountered the animal around 11 a.m. near Lake Kathlyn in Smithers, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said. 'A cougar approached him and swiped his upper body. The man, who was interviewed by (conservation officers) told them he punched the cougar in the face, and it disengaged,' a Facebook post form the agency said. The man's injuries did not require treatment in hospital. Traps have been set and conservation officers searched the area with dogs, but the cougar has not been located. 'The BC COS is continuing to monitor cougar activity in the area and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety,' the poste from the agency continued. According to WildsafeBC, cougar attacks are rare. Anyone who encounters a cougar is advised to stay calm, and not to run away. 'Make yourself look as large as possible and back away slowly, keeping the cougar in view, and allowing a clear exit for the cougar. If attacked, always fight back and never 'play dead,'' the organization's website says, adding that children are 'most at risk' if they are present during an encounter. Cougar conflicts and sightings can be reported to BC COS at Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.


CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Toronto man drowns while kayaking in Wasaga Beach: OPP
Social Sharing Police are investigating after a man died in a drowning incident in Wasaga Beach, Ont., a town about 20 kilometres northwest of Barrie. Ontario Provincial Police say emergency services responded to a residence on River Road East in Wasaga Beach at approximately 1:05 p.m. after reports of a missing kayaker. They say a 24-year-old man from Toronto had been kayaking with two others when their boat overturned. The Wasaga Beach Fire Department located the man and started resuscitation efforts before he was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead. Police have not released the man's identity out of respect for his family. In an unrelated incident, a three-year-old also drowned on Saturday in Long Sault, Ont., about 100 kilometres southeast of Ottawa.