Latest news with #intimatePartnerViolence
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Man charged in Ottawa woman's murder had a history of intimate partner violence cases
Social Sharing The man charged with the first-degree murder of a missing Ottawa woman has a history of intimate partner violence cases, court records show. Joshua Blair, 35, is accused of murdering 54-year-old Rachelle Desrochers on or about March 16, as well as committing an indignity to her body by throwing it in a dumpster. Blair was initially charged with second-degree murder. Earlier this week, an upgraded charge of first-degree murder was filed in court. Desrochers was last seen alive on Elgin Street on March 14, two days before her alleged murder, according to a missing person announcement issued by Ottawa police in April. On Sunday, police announced her alleged murder and the search for her remains at a local landfill. Search efforts took place last weekend and earlier this week. Her remains have not been found. According to court records, Blair was charged in June 2023 with mischief under $5,000 for damaging a patio table, chairs and a television belonging to another woman with whom he was in a relationship. CBC is not naming the woman because she is a victim of intimate partner violence, and CBC has been unable to reach her. The court ordered Blair not to communicate with or go near the woman, nor three other people who shared her last name. When Blair failed to show up at the Ottawa Courthouse to be fingerprinted and photographed that same month, he was charged with failing to comply with an undertaking. On July 12, 2023, Blair returned to the woman's house where he kicked open her front door and entered. He was subsequently arrested and charged with failing to comply with an undertaking not to communicate with the woman or her relatives, being within 250 metres of her home, and breaking and entering. On Oct. 23, 2023, Blair pleaded guilty to the original mischief charge, as well as being unlawfully in a dwelling. The other charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown. Blair 'embarrassed,' lawyer told court At his sentencing, Blair's then lawyer Carey MacLellan said his client was remorseful for his actions toward his former partner. "Joshua has, from moment one, encouraged me to resolve these matters so he could take responsibility for himself. He seems to be embarrassed. His emotions got the best of him," MacLellan said at the time. On the recommendation of both the defence and Crown, Ontario Court Justice Robert Wadden handed down a 90-day conditional sentence (house arrest) and one year of probation. Blair was again ordered to stay away from and not communicate with the woman and three other individuals sharing her last name. He was also ordered to attend and actively participate in a partner assault response program. In July 2024, Blair was charged with violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer. He pleaded guilty in February 2025 and received a suspended sentence and another year of probation. The next month, on or about March 16, police allege he murdered Desrochers and disposed of her body in a dumpster. The allegations have not been proven. In April, Blair was charged with breaching his 2023 probation order for failing to attend domestic violence counselling between mid-October 2024 and mid-January 2025. That case remains before the court. Arrested twice in 11 days On May 13, Blair was arrested and accused of unlawfully entering the house he agreed to stay away from, punching and kicking holes in the drywall, and violating his probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He was released later that same day after posting a $1,000 bond under conditions to stay away from the home he had unlawfully entered, and not to possess tools for breaking into buildings or vehicles. Eleven days later he was again arrested and charged with breaching probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. That charge was withdrawn at the request of the Crown that same day. Also that day, Blair was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body. He remains in custody and is next set to appear in court on Friday. Police have labelled Desrochers's killing a femicide. CBC has not been able to confirm how Blair and Desrochers knew each other.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
This is how Ottawa police's newest K9 helps victims of intimate partner violence
K9 Nelson with handler Roxana Manoiu with the Victim Services Unit in front of the Elgin Street Ottawa police headquarters. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) The Ottawa Police Service now has a new member to help ease victims of intimate partner violence. K9 Nelson, a two-year old black Labrador, is specially trained to support victims and provide emotional support, according to Roxana Manoiu, his handler and a risk navigator with the Victim Services Unit. The dog can help when victims meet with the risk navigator team, when they have interviews with the Ottawa police's intimate partner violence unit or they want to make a report, Maoiu said. 'We let them pet him, introduce him. Just that initial interaction can offer that sense of relief,' she said. To be good at his job, Nelson needs to have a certain temperament. 'I think just his calmness, as you can see, he's just very, very calm. He knows when he's working. He's a very hard worker and he loves to impress,' she said. K9 Nelson Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs shakes K9 Nelson's paw during a badge ceremony. (Ottawa Police Service/Provided) K9 Nelson's training started as a puppy before going to 'Puppy University' as a one-year-old at National Service Dogs. Nelson also works with a secondary handler, who takes him into the community. 'Ideally, we would be using Nelson to attend community meetings or to some of our partners such as our violence against women shelters,' said Melanie Winwood, senior advisor for Violence against Women with the Ottawa Police Service. K9 Nelson The Ottawa Police Service has a new member and it's a two-year-old black labrador named K9 Nelson. (Ottawa police Service) 'For their staff and their residents to be aware of these services that we do offer for victims, when they do want to come in and report, or if they're involved with the police service, to know that there is support available to them.' Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs officially awarded K9 Nelson with a badge at a ceremony on May 23 along with new police recruits. 'He walked the stage like all the other recruits, although he didn't go up the stairs,' said Manoui.
CBC
25-05-2025
- CBC
Toronto installation designed to raise awareness of femicide, intimate partner violence
A new campaign, called 'Behind Closed Doors,' launched a public installation on Saturday. It's designed to raise awareness of femicide and intimate partner violence, issues still on rise in Ontario, and often out of public view. CBC's Lane Harrison explains.
CTV News
24-05-2025
- CTV News
WPS release updated crime statistics
The Windsor Police Service (WPS) has released new statistics. In 11 of the past 13 weeks, Windsor police say response times to priority one calls have been eight minutes or less. Those calls involve immediate danger, bodily harm, or potential death. Stats show the amount of violent crime in the city is up four per cent, but property crime stats are down 16 per cent. Windsor police categorize 61 per cent of all violent crimes in the city as assaults, and 37 per cent of them are related to intimate partner violence. In a positive turn, more victims are turning to police for help to help break that cycle. 'We're seeing an increase since COVID, and it's the only thing that never really came down after COVID. So, it's a giant concern for us, obviously, the safety of people is a big thing, and we're always trying to do new things. So right now we're with something, about to be rolled out again. And we'll look forward to it. So hopefully that changes things for us,' said Deputy Chief Jason Crowley.
CTV News
18-05-2025
- CTV News
Kingston police charge man, 26, with first degree murder following death of partner
A 26-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder charge following a femicide that happened at a home in Kingston Friday afternoon, according to police. Kingston police say at around 2:45 p.m., they responded to a call reporting a disturbance at a home in the area of Berrywood Crescent and Juniper Drive. 'Upon arriving on scene, a male suspect had barricaded himself inside of a residence on Berrywood Crescent,' Kingston Police said in a news release. That was when police entered the home and found a 25-year-old woman suffering from multiple injuries. She was taken to hospital where she later died, police say. Hadden Harper-Brewer was arrested at the scene. 'The Kingston Police are considering this death to be a femicide as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence. A femicide, though not yet defined in Criminal law, refers to 'the killing of women and girls because of their gender',' police said in the release. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 613-549-4660, extension 6397. To remain anonymous, call the Kingston Police general number 613-549-4660, extension 0. More to come
