Toronto police have charged a man with murder after his wife was found dead in their home in Toronto’s west end Wednesday evening.
Police said officers were called to the Callowhill Drive and Farley Crescent area, near Martin Grove Road and The Westway, at 9:35 p.m. with a request to assist with a medical complaint. A spokesperson told Global News officers found the woman with severe injuries and without vital signs.
A Toronto paramedics spokesperson said crews were called to a house and tried to revive the 76-year-old woman, but she died at the scene.
Police have identified the woman as Barbara Kovic, of Toronto. Officers have charged her husband, 81-year-old Ante Kovic, with second-degree murder in connection to the incident.
Cris Ramirez told Global News that he has lived in the neighbourhood for over 10 years and knew the Kovics very well.
“We had a pretty close relationship with them, they were a nice couple,” he said. “It’s just a complete shock.
“I honestly don’t even know what to do or say — I can’t believe this.”
Another neighbour, Dale Ranson, whose mother was best friends with Barbara said Ante had been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the family was in the process of trying to figure out the next steps.
Ranson said Barbara was forced to call police for help in the past in regard to Ante, who she said had grown very confused.
“He didn’t know what was going on with his life or what to do,” she said.
The Kovics had been living in the neighbourhood for almost 30 years, Ranson said, and were married for even longer.
“They were a very loving couple,” she said. “They just had their family over to celebrate the holidays.”
“They knew almost every neighbour on the street.”
Officers initially said the woman’s death appeared to be suspicious, but confirmed Thursday morning that the incident was deemed a homicide.
The incident marks the city’s first homicide in 2018.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
—With files from Catherine McDonald
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