Members of the Halifax-area yoga community are mourning the loss of a well-known instructor whose body was found inside her Purcells Cove home early Saturday.
Kristin Elizabeth Johnston, 32, was the owner and instructor at a Halifax yoga studio that closed in February and was well-known in the Halifax yoga community. Those who knew Johnston are remembering her as an energetic instructor who firmly believed in the benefits of yoga.
“There are no words to adequately describe our shock and sadness over the death of Kristin Johnston,” said Moksha Yoga Halifax on Facebook. “Kristin was a shining light who fiercely believed in the benefits of yoga and just wanted to share that with others.”
Former students left notes, flowers, and candles outside her former studio in Johnston’s memory.
“She was just a really amazing person and she didn't deserve for this to happen,” said Jamie-Lee Collins.
Johnston was forced to close her yoga studio last month after doing everything she could to keep it open. Her students say even that was a loss.
“Hot yoga can be really challenging, so I found she had a sense of calm in her class so it made it more enjoyable,” said former yoga student Vanessa Bonhomme.
Officers found Johnston’s body inside an Oceanview Drive home on Saturday. Investigators say her death is being treated as a homicide.
Police initially said two men were arrested at the scene, but have since stated that one man came to police headquarters willingly to help with the investigation.
His involvement has since been ruled out.
The other man required medical attention and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say he remains in hospital with significant injuries and is considered a person of interest.
Police are not looking for any other suspects at this time.
“The investigation is very much active and ongoing,” said Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Theresa Rath. “At this point we do have a person of interest. He is in hospital at this time and we do have to speak to him as part of this investigation.”
The man lived in the home, which was owned by Johnston, but police have not confirmed a relationship between the two.
Police obtained a search warrant for the home late Saturday afternoon and spent Sunday processing the scene.
Police and forensic identification officers returned to the home Monday, but say they don’t expect to make any significant developments in the case at this time.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.
