Kitchener-Waterloo

Suspect in Helen Schaller murder dies in hospital

A 39-year-old man, who was a suspect in the murder of Cambridge woman Helen Schaller, has died in hospital Sunday after he was found with a self inflicted gunshot wound Saturday.

Suspect died due to his injuries, Waterloo Regional Police Service said

Waterloo Regional Police Service and Ontario Special Investigation Unit vehicles can be seen near Franklin Boulevard and Savage Drive after what the SIU called a "high-risk takedown" on Saturday. (Teghan Beaudette/CBC)

A 39-year-old man, who was a suspect in the murder of Helen Schaller, died in hospital Sunday morning, police said.

Schaller, 58, was shot in the Preston area of Cambridge on April 17.

The man was rushed to Hamilton General Hospital Saturday morning after the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) found him in a wooded area with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police were investigating the area of Franklin Boulevard and Savage Drive in Cambridge that morning, looking for a man who was wanted for several criminal charges.

The WRPS emergency response team was called to "conduct a high-risk takedown," as officers were told that a person of interest was in a vehicle in a gas station parking lot on Franklin Boulevard.

Police said the suspect drove into a nearby wooded area, where responders found the man with a gunshot wound.

Officers provided medical assistance and the man was taken to Cambridge Memorial Hospital and later to Hamilton General Hospital.

Police said the man died due to his injuries.

Ontario's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) continues to investigate.

The unit said it will not be releasing the man's identity at this time. 

The SIU investigates matters involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. As a result, Waterloo police cannot provide any further information.