Ex-husband charged with first-degree murder after woman killed in Montreal

A 71-year-old man was arrested in connection with the killing of his 55-year-old ex-wife in Montreal’s Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough, authorities say.

Brahim Naili appeared in court Sunday afternoon, where he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Naima Rezzek. The Quebec Crown prosecutor’s office said his case returns to court July 25.

Montreal police (SPVM) say a 911 call was placed at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday reporting a possible conflict inside an apartment on Bélair Street, near the 21st Avenue intersection, in Saint-Michel.

Emergency services say they found the woman at the residence with upper body injuries but were unable to resuscitate her. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

1:08 Man found dead in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood was homicide victim, police say

SPVM spokesperson Caroline Chèvrefils told Global that at around the same time, the 71-year-old man presented himself at a local police station to inform police about what had happened.

The man was held by authorities and met with investigators from the major crimes unit.

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A crime scene perimeter was set up on Bélair Street around the site of the incident.

This marks the city’s 13th homicide on the island of Montreal in 2024.

— with files from La Presse Canadienne