As the RCMP confirm the deaths of an elderly man and woman in Dieppe, N.B., are being investigated as homicides, residents in the area are expressing shock over the incident.
Police were called to a home on Amirault Street just after noon on Saturday. When officers arrived, they found the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman inside.
Their identities have not been released.
Police initially said their deaths were considered suspicious. On Tuesday, police confirmed they are investigating their deaths as a double homicide.
Autopsies have been scheduled to determine how they died.
Investigative teams have lined the street since the incident and forensic teams are working to put together the pieces. Caution tape surrounded the home Tuesday.
The double homicide has local residents expressing sadness and shock.
“I was pretty surprised. It’s not usually a common thing that happens in the city, or this area,” said neighbour Riel Prive. “People stealing at night in cars and trucks, but nothing more than that.”
Anita Belliveau says the couple was well-liked, and the woman especially was like a second mother to many in the neighbourhood.
“The fact that everybody that had a problem would be able to stop and talk to her and she would just listen and encourage everybody,” said Belliveau.
“They were the most loving, giving and honest people that I’ve ever met.”
Police say they won’t be releasing any additional information in regards to suspects or arrests, but they do say they don’t believe the incident was a random act, and there is no threat to the public.
Regardless, people in the area say they are feeling on edge.
“I can’t wait for them to solve this and arrest somebody, the people who did this,” said Belliveau. “It makes me a little bit uneasy. There’s an uneasiness that wasn’t there before.”
Anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has information about the incident, is asked to contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
