Angila Wilson's killing shocks Clearwater, B.C.
Estranged common-law husband facing 1st-degree murder charges
The community of Clearwater, B.C., is in shock and mourning after Angila Wilson, a nurse at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital was found dead in her home around 10 a.m. PT Monday after police were called to check on her well-being.
No charges have yet been laid, but police are recommending a charge of first-degree murder against a man said to be the woman's estranged common-law husband.
Police determined Wilson's death was due to homicide, and believe she was killed Sunday night.
The suspect, Wilson's former partner, was arrested Monday night following a seven-hour-long standoff with police at a home just outside of town, where three young children were also taken into custody.
Police said the children, who were with the suspect when he was arrested, are all under the age of seven, and were physically unharmed.
Professionals were called in to interview them to determine whether they were witnesses to their mother's death.
A close friend of Wilson told CBC News that her friend separated from her partner about a month ago.
Neighbour Laurent Lefebvre says police had been at the house before.
"Last time the police were here I asked her about it. She said she had trouble with her ex and said he was a bit violent," he said.
Clearwater Mayor John Harwood said he knew the victim well, and news of the tragedy is hitting him and many others hard in the community of just over 2,300.
"When it seems to happen in small towns, it affects so many more people," he said. "There is only one school, so the child that is in school attends that school, so that affects the children there."
He said counsellors were being brought in to help teachers and students at the elementary school.
3 B.C. domestic violence attacks in April
Wilson's murder is just the latest of a string of high profile incidents where police have alleged domestic violence was a factor.
Earlier this month, a woman was attacked with a weapon and her Langley house set of fire in a domestic dispute and a woman was sent to hospital after being stabbed in her home in Abbotsford by a man who breached a no-contact order.
Katie Streibel with Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter says it's a dire situation.
"We know that one women every week in Canada is murdered by a husband or intimate male partner."
Streibel say violence is most likely to occur in the first 18 months of separation and this is the time when women need help the most.
"Better policing for violence against women is absolutely critical," she says. "Women are often dismissed when coming forward to police about violence or possible violence."
Clearwater is a district municipality in B.C.'s North Thompson River valley, approximately 130 kilometres north of Kamloops.
Google Map: Clearwater, B.C.
With files from the CBC's Steve Lus