Eighth Annual Report of Domestic Violence Death Review Committee — (Chief Coroner of Ontario)

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Chief Coroner of Ontario

Case DVDRC-2010-06: OCC file number: 2005-15631 This case was deemed to be a homicide perpetrated by the intimate partner. On November 11, 2005, partial remains were found at a waste transfer station. Over the ensuing days, other partial remains were located in four separate sites. Police investigation linked these to be from the victim. The victim’s common-law spouse, when arrested, claimed he struck her on the back of the head with a wrench after she had discovered him using crack cocaine. An apparent argument ensued and the victim (age 46) told him she was calling police. She had threatened to leave him in the past due to his drug use and he had made a promise to discontinue the habit. Due to the dismemberment, the cause of death was “unascertained” as death could not be definitively attributed to the head injury alone. The perpetrator had chronic anxiety, depression, and a possible personality disorder. There was no history of parasuicide (i.e. self-injurious behaviour). He was on medication and had been on antidepressants at various times during his life. He had attended rehabilitation in the past for his drug addiction. 11 risk factors were identified. Common themes: public education/ awareness – (Neighbours, Friends and Families); safe separation; mental health and addictions. No new recommendations.