Windsor

Bodies of 2 alleged victims of Elizabeth Wettlaufer exhumed

The bodies of two alleged victims of the former nurse were exhumed on Tuesday. Elizabeth Wettlaufer is accused of killing eight people in Woodstock and London, Ont., long-term care homes.

Former nurse accused of killing 8 seniors in long-term care homes in London and Woodstock, Ont.

Elizabeth Wettlaufer is escorted into the courthouse in Woodstock, Ont., on Jan. 13. (Dave Chidley/Canadian Press)

The bodies of two alleged victims of Elizabeth Wettlaufer were exhumed early Tuesday morning, police say.

Wettlaufer, 49, is the former nurse accused of killing eight seniors at long-term care homes in Woodstock, Ont., and London, Ont.

"The exhumation is necessary to allow the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service to conduct an autopsy," said Sandasha Bough of the London Police Service.

Some family members attended when the bodies were exhumed, said Sgt. Dave Rektor with the Ontario Provincial Police. "The families … are supportive of the reasons for the exhumation," he said.

Helen Matheson's body was exhumed in Innerkip, Ont., northeast of Woodstock. 

The body of Arpad Horvath Sr. was exhumed in London. His daughter Susan Horvath was present, along with her brother. "It was just a nightmare," said Horvath, who supports the decision to exhume, despite how difficult it was for her.

Wettlaufer was charged in October with eight counts of murder, with four additional counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault added in January.

With files from Kerry McKee