OPP charge daughter in death of retired Carleton University professor

A daughter has been charged in the death of her mother, a retired Carleton University professor. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

A 43-year-old woman is facing a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her mother, a retired Carleton University professor, in Lansdowne, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police say officers were asked to conduct a wellness check shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on County Road 2 in Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township.

“Officers located the individual deceased inside the residence,” police said in a media release.

“A postmortem examination confirmed the death was the result of homicide.”

The victim has been identified as Katherine Graham, 78, a retired professor from Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township who worked for Carleton University.

“Graham was a distinguished scholar, leader and public servant whose career profoundly shaped the fields of public policy, local governance, community development and Indigenous policy in Canada,” Carleton University said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.  

“Her work, mentorship and commitment to advancing understanding and collaboration have had an enduring impact on colleagues and students.”

Graham was well-known in the academic community and social media posts celebrated her for her volunteerism in the Thousand Islands area.

Police say 43-year-old Katherine Graham, who has the same name as the victim, of the Leeds and Thousand Islands Township was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder. She appeared in a Brockville, Ont. court on Thursday and remains in custody.

OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson confirmed the victim and the suspect are mother and daughter.

Police say the investigation is being conducted by the Leeds County OPP Crime Unit, with assistance from the OPP Forensic Identification Services and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Forensic Pathology Service.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Leeds County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.