Sarnia police investigating homicide, no suspect in custody

CTV London: Homicide investigation Sarnia police investigating city's first murder of 2020. Brent Lale reports.

London, Ont. — Residents of the south end of the city awoke to a surprising scene Saturday.

Road closures, police cars, caution tape, and a house covered in blood.

"At this time it is a suspected homicide investigation," says Const. Giovanni Sottosanti of the Sarnia Police Service.

Just after midnight, Sarnia police responded to a medical distress call from the 100 block of Palmerston Street North. A 29 year old woman was taken to Bluewater Health needing medical attention.

"At hospital she was pronounced dead," says Sottosanti.

The police forensic identification unit spent the morning surveying the area, with two houses the primary places of interest. Meanwhile, those who live in the area like Paul Stark were left wondering what happened.

"I'm right there at the white and red house so i can see all the way down Palmerston," says Stark. "It's a bit shocking when you wake up to see cop cars and police tape."

Stark and other residents describe the area as 'typically quiet'. However another man who lives at the corner of Palmerston Street and Cobden Street says one house at this intersection is known for suspicious activity.

"In the last couple years there have been four or five different people living in there," says Joshua Dutourgeerling.

"There have also been squatters. Police have probably been there actively multiple times during the last couple months, and there seems to always been problems around here."

Detectives were going door to door in the area, asking for information, video surveillance, or witnesses.

"We don’t have a suspect at his point," says Sottosanti. "But we don't believe it’s more than an isolated incident."

Despite re-assurance from police, Stark is skeptical without anyone in custody.

"Is a killer loose in the neighbourhood? I better lock the doors i guess."

Anyone with information on the city’s first homicide of 2020 is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Kahnert at 519-344-8861 ext. 6196/5300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).