‘The most horrible thing’: Neighbours say son in custody after woman dies in Lambton County homicide

Lambton OPP continue to investigate after one person was killed and another was seriously injured near Port Franks over the weekend. Sean Irvine reports.

Neighbours in the small Lake Huron community of Port Franks are in shock Monday night after they say a woman was killed and a man was injured in what police have declared a homicide.

Several people tell CTV News a man police took into custody is the son of the woman found dead.

On Monday morning, OPP forensic officers surrounded a home inside the retirement community of Northville Estates.

It was there that multiple residents reported a disturbance broke out shortly after 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Through tears, one neighbour says another neighbour rushed into her home to report the stabbing of her friend, a woman next door. The same neighbour indicated another resident, trying to help, was also attacked.

A few moments later, resident Tom Whytall was on his porch when he spotted a man moving quickly.

He identified the man as the deceased woman’s son.

“[He] comes running from this area here, into the side of his house, and down into, well, they have a kind of a basement thing, in his underwear,” he said. “It kind of shocked me!”

Multiple police vehicles then began to appear, and Whytall says the first arriving officers and EMS officials did everything they could to save the woman’s life.

“They were carrying her, and they brought her over here to the grass, and they put her down on the grass, and they tried to resuscitate her for a long, long time. But it was quite apparent that it was not going to work,” he recalled.

OPP expect to release more details on Tuesday, but for now, they’ve only confirmed limited information.

“Upon arrival, we located someone who was deceased at the scene. Another person was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. Another person was taken into custody without incident,” said Const. Jeff Beaumaster.

Multiple residents report the injured man is recovering in the hospital. Some, including Whytall have visited him.

“He said it was the most horrible thing he’s ever seen,” he said.

Overwhelmed by the violence, the tight-knit retirement community is supporting each other as police continue their investigation.

All residents CTV News spoke with were grieving the woman who was killed. Many viewed her as gracious.

“I just know she’s a beautiful, kind, and very smart person,” said Whytall.

Police say the man is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. There is no word on any charges.

At least one neighbour reported there had not been any police at the home in the past.