Police find 2 women dead with uninjured small child in Durham Region home

Two women have been identified as Durham Region’s latest homicide victims in what police are calling a case of intimate partner violence.

Durham Regional Police said they were called to an address in Courtice, Ont., near Oshawa, just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday for a wellness check.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the bodies of the women and the small, uninjured child. A 33-year-old man was arrested and taken into police custody.

On Thursday, police identified the victims as Katrina Zwolinski and Laurie Crew. The man who was arrested was Zwolinski’s ex-boyfriend, and the father of the uninjured child. Crew was identified as the child’s grandmother.

1:46 Courtice double homicide: Neighbourhood in shock after 2 women found dead

Michael Belhu, 33, if facing two charges of second-degree murder. He was held for a bailing hearing, police said.

“Intimate partner violence can take many forms, impacting individuals in various ways. It includes not just physical harm but also emotional abuse, verbal insults, manipulation, financial control, and isolation from friends and family,” Durham police said in a news release.

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“Recognizing these signs is crucial. If you or someone you know is experiencing any type of IPV, it’s important to seek help. Resources are available, and you are not alone in this struggle.”

Anyone with cell phone, dashcam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact police at 905-579-1520 ext. 5319.