A woman found lying in an intersection, suffering from fatal injuries in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood, was struck in the road after getting into a fight with her husband, police believe.
Calgary police have laid charges in the death of 33-year-old Melissa Rae Blommaert, who first responders found unconscious in the intersection of 34 Avenue and 79 Street N.W. just after 6 a.m. on Monday.
Blommaert had injuries investigators believe were the result of blunt-force trauma, which she eventually died from in hospital.
Police believe Blommaert and the suspect were married and living together in the Bowness area. The couple were in a fight sometime before the incident, police said.
“We believe there was an argument. We believe the victim got out of the vehicle and that the accused subsequently ran her over with the vehicle,” Staff Sgt. Colin Chisolm said.
“Homicides of any nature are tragic, including incidents where domestic violence is present, and our investigators continue to work diligently to find answers in this case,” Chisholm said in a news release.
“We encourage anyone facing domestic conflict or violence to reach out for support to local agencies or to police.”
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Ronald John Candaele, 35, was arrested at a home in the Bowness area and has been charged with second-degree murder in Blommaert’s death. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Chisolm said citizens and businesses in the Bowness area were a big help in identifying a suspect and leading to an arrest just 10 hours after Blommaert was found.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234, 403-428-8877 or to contact Crime Stoppers.
Calgary police also said there are many supports available for anyone experiencing abuse or violence in an intimate or family relationship. People can reach out by calling 211, contacting the Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network at either 1-877-237-5888 (for sexual abuse), or 403-234-7233 (for domestic abuse).
People can also call the Calgary Police Service at any time through the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or call 911 if they’re in immediate danger.