Second woman in double murder laid to rest

About 600 mourners gathered on Saturday to pay their respects to the second woman killed in a tragic double murder in Markham this week.

Paula Menendez, 34, of Toronto, was found hanging inside the Markham home of 33-year-old Julie Crocker early Monday morning.

Friends and family of Menendez are still devastated by the violent and sudden loss.

"She was very giving, very nice, very professional, good at her job, everyone loved her," said Joelle Goncalves, Menendez's co-worker.

Crocker, whose throat had been slashed, was laid to rest on Friday in Unionville. Police believe she was killed while her two young daughters slept in their rooms.

"We'd like to extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the Crocker family as well," said Robert Johnston, Menendez's brother-in-law.

It is not yet clear when and where Menendez, a physiotherapist, was killed. Investigators believe she may have been abducted from her west-end home and taken to Crocker's home.

Crocker's estranged husband, 35-year-old Christopher Little, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He is in custody awaiting a court date next month.

No reports suggest the victims knew each other. Police said "complicated relationships" played a role in the grisly killings.

Both women had ties to Toronto radio sportscaster Rick Ralph. Menendez was his estranged wife while Crocker had been dating him for a short while.

The circumstances surrounding the murder remain unclear.

Six days later, police tape still surrounds the Markham home, a disturbing reminder of what took place there.

"It's a big hole, it's constantly on your mind and you're reminded of it," said neighbour Tony Palumbo.

With a report from CTV's Alex Mihailovich