Residents of Hasler Crescent in south end Guelph awoke Tuesday morning to a homicide investigation scene in their relatively new and quiet neighbourhood.
Neighbours of 2 and 4 Hasler emerged from their homes before 9 a.m. and gravitated towards the two addresses just off Bard Boulevard. A 54-year-old woman died in one of the homes hours earlier.
One man pulled up in a small car and asked reporters what was happening. After being told that Guelph Police were carrying out an investigation into the suspicious death of a woman inside one of the homes, the man began to weep. He was joined by a woman who was a good friend of the resident believed to have died. The two cried together on the sidewalk, as others looked on the scene in disbelief.
A large mobile emergency command unit was parked on Bard Boulevard, while three other police vehicles were parked in front of the two houses. Both homes were cordoned off with police tape. It appeared that 4 Hasler was the focus of the investigation Tuesday morning.
Police put out a release Tuesday morning, stating that officers responded to a Hasler residence just after midnight. They discovered the dead woman inside the residence.
Police only stated “the death appeared to be suspicious in nature,” but arrested and charged a 27-year-old man with first degree murder. The man was located on a Guelph Transit bus at around 6:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, and was arrested without incident, according to the police release.
No other suspects are being sought, and police say there are no public safety concerns related to the investigation.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in a Guelph bail court this morning.
One resident who lives directly across from 4 Hasler, stared from across the street into the open garage door of the address, a solemn expression on his face. “That’s my neighbour,” the man said.
Guelph Police is requesting that anyone with information in relation to this investigation contact Detective Sergeant Dave Begin at 519-824-1212 Ext. 7226 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
This story will be updated.
