Police in Nova Scotia have confirmed that the deaths of two people found in a home in Mahone Bay this week were the result of intimate partner violence.
The news comes as the province grapples with an increasing number of similar incidents — with advocates calling for more action and government vowing to make a difference.
RCMP said they were called to a well-being check of two people at a home on Long Hill Road on Sunday.
“Responding officers found the remains of a 60-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man in the home,” RCMP said in a Thursday update.
The case was initially treated as suspicious deaths until the medical examiner’s office completed their investigation.
“(The) investigation has determined that the woman’s death was a result of homicide and that the man, who died as a result of self-inflicted wounds, was responsible for the woman’s death. This incident was the result of intimate partner violence,” RCMP said.
On Monday, a neighbour of the couple told Global News they were good friends who he and his wife spent time with often.
“We hung out with them quite a bit and they’re great. They were great people,” said Pat Smith.
“I just can’t believe … I can’t believe that this happened.”
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Open letter to ministers calling for action
A number of intimate partner violence cases have rocked the province in recent months.
Since Oct. 18, there have been five murder-suicides involving couples reported by police in Nova Scotia, and in each case a man killed his female partner before taking his own life.
On New Year’s Eve, Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her 73-year-old father, Bradford Downey, were shot and killed in Halifax. Halifax Regional Police said her 39-year-old boyfriend, Matthew Costain, later killed himself.
In September 2024, the provincial legislature declared intimate partner violence in Nova Scotia to be an epidemic.
In an open letter sent Thursday, more than a dozen groups working in the area of gender-based violence called on Premier Tim Houston and two ministers to take urgent action.
The letter, which was signed by groups such as Adsum House and the Transition House Association, requested a meeting with Houston, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Becky Druhan and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Leah Martin.
They want the province to take immediate steps to address and prevent intimate partner violence in the wake of what they call “an alarming increase” in violence.
“We are not seeing any tangible commitments to epidemic-level funding — massive increases in funding,” said advocate Liz LeClair, who signed the letter.
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“Transition houses, sexual assault centres, legal services, victim services in this province need a massive overhaul.”
In a statement Thursday afternoon, Druhan said she’s committed to working with advocates and experts to find solutions, and has asked for a meeting with the coalition of concerned groups.
“These losses are a stark reminder of the critical need to address intimate partner violence, and we stand with those who have been impacted,” she wrote.
“IPV remains a deeply entrenched issue in our society and continues to affect far too many individuals and families. While progress has been made, we know there is more to be done – and we cannot do it alone.”
The premier’s office said he will work with Druhan after the meeting on coming up with next steps.
— with files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Heidi Petracek
Anyone experiencing intimate partner violence can call 911 in the case of an emergency. Support is available in Nova Scotia by dialing 211, calling the provincial toll-free line at 1-855-225-0220, or visiting Nova Scotia 211 online. You can access support anonymously.
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