A 47-year-old woman is dead after a suspected femicide inside a home in Ottawa’s west end on Sunday evening.
Police say they were called to an address on Lady Slipper Way, a rural area just north of Highway 7 at about 6:40 p.m.
The victim was identified as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa.
Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa, has been charged with second-degree murder.
Neighbours in the area told CTV News the victim and the suspect were married.
“In the context of police investigations, we consider this death to be a femicide as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings,” Ottawa Police said in a news release on Monday.
“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.”
An Ottawa paramedics spokesperson told CTV News the woman suffered “traumatic” injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Michael Zabarylo is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
“They were a very friendly family”
“It’s very, very sad,” said neighbour Mary Lovas.
“We were very friendly with them. Every time we would walk by, the kids would wave and chat and the husband has been over to our house. He brought his little puppy and they played in the backyard.”
“I hope those kids are all right. It’s terrible.”
Nearby residents Gord and Margit Templeton said the neighbourhood is generally quiet.
“It was shocking. The neighbourhood is so quiet and then living out in the country like this, it surprised me,” said Gord Templeton.
“You don’t expect it, no. It’s mostly families, retired people or working people who live here.” said Margit Templeton.