WARNING: Some of the details in this article are graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.
Edmonton police have confirmed they’re investigating the suspicious death of a 33-year-old woman in the Strathearn neighbourhood.
On Tuesday, the Edmonton Police Service said officers found the woman dead when they arrived at a residential suite on Monday.
Officers were initially called to the area of 87 Street and 96 Avenue for a weapons complaint at 3:40 p.m.
The EPS did not confirm what had occurred at the scene.
Police have taken a 41-year-old man into custody and said the suspect and the victim were known to each other, though they were “estranged for several years.”
On Monday, witnesses told Global News they heard a woman’s screams coming from one of the units.
They said a small group of residents ran to try and help when they saw a man standing over a woman in a doorway, stabbing her repeatedly.
One of those residents was Kelsey Sylvester. On Tuesday afternoon, she told Global News she heard a woman screaming in French at around 3:30 p.m. the day before. She said she couldn’t understand what the woman was saying, but it was clear she was screaming for help.
“At first, we didn’t know what she was saying, so I ran out and there’s other neighbours here and she’s still screaming and my other neighbours actually witnessed this man stabbing this poor woman multiple times.”
Sylvester said she and one of her neighbours that say they saw the stabbing ran into her home and called police. She said police caught a man “within minutes” of arriving.
She described hearing the “jingling” of a cutlery drawer before the woman started screaming. After the woman was allegedly stabbed, Sylvester said the neighbourhood went silent.
“I’m shaken up for sure,” she said. “But Strathearn is still a good place to be, this can happen anywhere.”
WATCH BELOW: A heavy police presence was seen in the Stathearn neighbourhood on Monday
The neighbours ran to call 911. Not long after that, they said, the officers arrived and witnesses said police arrested a man.
Officers were seen canvassing the area on Monday. Residents told Global News they were asked if they were aware of any “violent relationships.”
WATCH BELOW: Witnesses describe a frightening scene at the Strathearn Heights apartments, where police were initially called to a weapons complaint. Sarah Kraus has the details.
Sylvester said she didn’t know the man and wasn’t sure whether he lived there. She said the woman had kids but they weren’t home at the time.
“They were always loud as a family, in a good way I’m assuming, because the kids were always laughing.”
The investigation is ongoing and police said they are still conducting interviews. They said charges are pending.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Police said they would not be releasing the victim’s name as it “does not serve and investigative purpose and the EPS has a duty to protect the privacy rights of the victims and their families.”
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