Deaths of 2 people at Barrhaven home a murder-suicide: Ottawa police

Ottawa police are investigating the deaths of two seniors in Old Barrhaven as a case of murder-suicide. CTV’s Austin Lee reports.

Ottawa police say the deaths of two people at a home in Barrhaven was a murder-suicide.

The bodies of Virginia Theoret, 82, and Kurt Theoret, 84, were found inside a home on Pheasant Run Drive just after 1 a.m. Tuesday.

“Police responded to the scene this morning after a 9-1-1 call made by Mr. Theoret, who subsequently took his own life,” police said in a media release Tuesday afternoon.

“This is a deeply tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family and friends affected.”

Police said early Tuesday morning that investigators were not looking for any suspects, and there was no danger to the public.

A spokesperson for the Ottawa Paramedic Service tells CTV News Ottawa the two people were confirmed deceased at the scene.

‘It’s quite shocking,’ say neighbours

Pheasant Run Drive is located near the intersection of Cedarview Road and Jockvale Road in the Old Barrhaven neighbourhood.

People who live in the area tell CTV News Ottawa it’s the kind of neighbourhood that has always felt safe, with young families and retired folks living side-by-side.

“This is normally a very quiet street. Very peaceful, very quiet,” said Tony Stevens who lives down the street from the crime scene.

“To see and hear about that, it’s quite shocking.”

Sophie Hawkins lives next door to the Theorets’ home.

She echoed a similar sentiment when asked about the Old Barrhaven neighbourhood.

“It is so quiet. There is a lot of dog owners, a lot of dog walking, and that’s it. That’s the biggest thing around here,” she said.

“Kids play down at the cul-de-sac, and nothing happens here.”

Couple was ‘always together’

Hawkins says she saw Virginia Theoret sitting outside her home just six or seven hours before her death, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, adding there were no warning signs she noticed before the incident early Tuesday morning.

“They very much kept to themselves. Pleasant, a smile, a wave. Never ever an issue. It’s shocking,” she said.

“All year around he was outside. If it’s not snow, it’s the leaves, the grass, gardening. They used to have a large, full-sized poodle named Max and we’d see him in the backyard all the time because our backyards meet. Just regular people.

“It’s just shocking. This couple was always together. In the car together, outside together, they were always together. They were just the cute old story of husband and wife living their lives in their home. It’s just unbelievable.”

12th homicide of 2025

More than a dozen police cruisers attended the scene along with two ambulances, according to neighbours who say they have never seen so much commotion on the street.

“I have never seen that many cruisers in this neighbourhood ever. There were quite a number of them,” said Stevens.

“It’s a quiet place. You could leave your door unlocked if you want. So, it was very out of the ordinary to see that many cruisers.”

The Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit is now asking members of the public with any information pertaining to this situation to contact them by calling 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.

This is Ottawa’s 12th homicide of the year.

“It is a lot for this time of year for Ottawa. If you look comparatively to Toronto, they have 12 homicides to-date this year. They’re down 64 per cent in homicides and we’re tied at that number, so it’s not a good statistic at all,” said Staff Sgt. Jeff Pilon with the Homicide Unit.

“It’s a very unfortunate, sad, tragic incident and there is a family out there that is really reeling and grieving. Friends as well.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of emotional support, you can contact the Distress Centre of Ottawa or Mental Health Crisis Line.