Halifax Regional Police say they are still trying to identify the woman at the centre of a second suspicious death in north end Dartmouth.
Police say officers responded to a report of a suspicious death on Farthington Place at 4:08 a.m. Sunday morning.
The woman was found dead inside an apartment building, but Const. Carol McIsaac told reporters that police are still trying to determine whether or not she lived in the building.
READ MORE: Suspicious death in Dartmouth ruled a homicide
The death happened two blocks away from another death on Pinecrest Drive on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday evening, police announced that the first death was a homicide. Friday’s victim is 42-year-old Derek Miles.
Despite the quick succession of deaths, McIsaac said there is nothing linking the two cases so far.
“The first death is not believed to be a random act,” she said. “Although, we can’t confirm they’re connected and there’s nothing to suggest they are connected at this time we do not believe the public has any reason to fear for their safety.”
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She said so far police have no suspects in Friday’s homicide and she said police “implore” anyone with information about either case to come forward.
Residents asked to stay inside
Police were asking residents to stay inside their apartments for much of the day. McIsaac said that was to ensure evidence could be collected without any cross-contamination.
“I know its upsetting, its disconcerting and its frustrating to have to stay in your home,” she said. “It’s really important that the evidence be collected and the scene secured.”
She said the first three floors of the building were cleared by Sunday afternoon and investigators hoped to complete their work on the fourth floor sometime Sunday evening.
People who had to leave were asked to give personal information like their date of birth and contact information before leaving.
“I didn’t really know anything was amiss until I woke up,” resident Max Jones said. “It’s a little surreal, that’s just wild to me that I can wake up and they can say ‘hey you can’t leave’.”
Investigators were also combing the area outside the building for evidence, and photographing the woods behind the building and a car that was later towed away with with a police escort.
‘I would never, never walk in this area after dark’
Some people living in the area said the deaths had them worried and thinking about moving. And several dog walkers who spoke with Global News said they try not to go out at night.
“We don’t go out in the nighttime, we pretty much just go out in the daytime when there’s lots of people around,” said Gaynor Patterson who was walking her German Shepherd.
“I would never, never walk in this area after dark,” she said. “Not by myself.”
She said the two deaths in quick succession made her more worried, adding, “it’s quite concerning knowing that this is happening right outside your doorstep”
A man who lived in the building said he and his wife had already put in their notice to move out.
“I don’t fear for my own safety, but I have a wife in there, who I definitely fear for her safety,” he said. “I don’t even like her even bringing my dog out at night.”
Jones said he’s lived in the building for more than a year and he’s “never had any trouble.”
Police say they believe community members have information on both cases. They’re asking for anyone with information to contact police at 902-490-5020 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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