A new charge of second-degree murder has officially been laid against a man accused in a south London home invasion after the victim died from her injuries. Nelson Enrique Cornejo, 40, appeared briefly by video from Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London court Monday morning. During the approximately three-minute appearance, the second-degree murder charge was read into the record. Cornejo was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court Sept. 10. The new charge follows the death of a 73-year-old woman who was seriously injured during an alleged break-in at her home near Wellington Road and Base Line Road East on Aug. 22. London police previously said the woman was sleeping when she was awakened by a loud noise at about 6:10 a.m. Investigators allege an unknown man entered the residence, assaulted and stabbed her before she was able to call 911. The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries that were initially believed to be non-life threatening. Police confirmed on Aug. 28 that she died in hospital, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide. Cornejo was originally charged with aggravated assault, break and enter, assaulting a peace officer and obstructing a peace officer. He now also faces a charge of second-degree murder. The allegations against Cornejo have not been proven in court. With files from CTV News London’s Nick Paparella
