Ottawa police say killing of 51-year-old woman in Lowertown a femicide

Ottawa police continue to investigate the killing of a 51-year-old woman in Lowertown on Tuesday. A man is in custody. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

A 24-year-old man is facing a murder charge in connection with a fatal stabbing in Lowertown Tuesday afternoon that the Ottawa Police Service says is being investigated as a femicide.

Police say it happened at approximately 4:38 p.m. at 20 Heney St. across the street from MacDonald Gardens Park.

Ottawa paramedics say they received a call about an assault with an “edged weapon” at the same address.

One adult was pronounced dead at the scene. Another adult was transported to hospital in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries, according to paramedics spokesperson Marc-Antoine Deschamps.

Police identified the victim Wednesday as 51-year-old Renée Descary, calling her death a femicide.

“A femicide is generally defined as ‘the killing of women and girls because of their gender’ often driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls or unequal power relations between women and men,” police said in a news release Wednesday morning.

“The Ottawa Police Service also builds on the definition recommended by our Violence Against Women (VAW) community partners as ‘the misogynist killing of women and girls because of their gender, overwhelmingly committed by men.‘”

The suspect has been identified as Oliver Denia, 24. He is charged with second degree murder.

Ottawa police tell CTV News the early investigation shows there is no connection between the victim and the suspect. The suspect was detained on scene by bystanders, some of whom received minor injuries.

“We believe that had it not been for the intervention of these bystanders, that the incident could have been worse than it was,” said acting Ottawa police chief Steve Bell.

“I think it’s important to recognize that many community members came in to help and assist in this situation and we we greatly appreciate their help.”

A very good neighbour

Daniel Lavigueur lives in the same community only a few houses away from where the homicide took place. He moved to the area with his family in 2008 and reflected on his years of friendship with Descary.

“We’ve known each other for quite awhile, she’s been in the co-op longer than I, she’s been a very good neighbour,” he said.

“Very friendly, open person to be around.”

He says Descary was one of the board members of the co-op and built a lasting friendship with him.

“We built a friendship right there and then, I knew her as well and we were friends. This is a good community. I think it’s more of a shock of the situation and we’re going to help continue to keep this a safe place as much as we can and work together to make it even better,” he said.

He described the co-op housing he lives in as safe and friendly, but noted there are drug and mental health issues nearby.

“It’s a tight knit community, it’s all family people. There’s a lot of kids, there are older people that have been here since the 70s when this place was founded and we try to keep a friendly environment, an inviting one as well,” he says.

“But unfortunately, we’re not immune to all situations.”

Michel Emard lives only a few houses over from Descary, who described his long-time neighbour as kind, sympathetic and willing to help everyone.

“She was my guidance counselor at school and summer camps when I was a teenager. I know her from there and I’ve lived in here in this co-op all my life. She was a really nice person. It’s really sad,” he says, adding the community is ready to support Descary’s family.

“At this time, I’m going to guess the family wants their privacy, which is completely understandable. The community is behind the family, thinking of them, and we’re sad to hear of what happened.”

This is the seventh homicide in Ottawa this year and the second homicide investigation in Ottawa in four days. Police are still investigating the death of 63-year-old man near Chinatown on Saturday night.

Anyone with information, cell phone footage, or any other video of the incident is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service homicide unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5493.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Shaun Vardon and Tyler Fleming