Woman found dead in suspected femicide in Ottawa's west end
A 47-year-old woman is dead after a suspected femicide inside a home in Ottawa's west end on Sunday evening.
Police say they were called to an address on Lady Slipper Way, a rural area just north of Highway 7 at about 6:40 p.m.
The victim was identified as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa.
The Department of National Defence confirms Zabarylo was a civilian employee and a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Navy Headquarters team.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of her tragic death, and we are offering support to her family and colleagues. We offer our deepest condolences to her loved ones during this difficult time," it said in a statement.
She also worked at Public Services and Procurement Canada. In a statement it said, "We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Jennifer, who was a valued employee at PSPC for 18 years, from 2000 to 2018. We send our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones, as well as her current and former colleagues."
Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa, has been charged with second-degree murder.
Neighbours in the area told CTV News the victim and the suspect were married.
It's the first time the Ottawa Police Service has labeled a killing as a femicide.
"In the context of police investigations, we consider this death to be a femicide as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings," Ottawa Police said in a news release on Monday.
"A femicide is generally defined as 'the killing of women and girls because of their gender' often driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls or unequal power relations between women and men."
An Ottawa paramedics spokesperson told CTV News the woman suffered "traumatic" injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Michael Zabarylo is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jennifer Zabarylo, 47. (Facebook)
"They were a very friendly family"
"It's very, very sad," said neighbour Mary Lovas.
"We were very friendly with them. Every time we would walk by, the kids would wave and chat and the husband has been over to our house. He brought his little puppy and they played in the backyard."
"I hope those kids are all right. It's terrible."
Ottawa police are investigating the death of a 47-year-old woman inside a west end home on Sunday evening. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)
Nearby residents Gord and Margit Templeton said the neighbourhood is generally quiet.
"It was shocking. The neighbourhood is so quiet and then living out in the country like this, it surprised me," said Gord Templeton.
"You don't expect it, no. It's mostly families, retired people or working people who live here." said Margit Templeton.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates so Trump can't have them executed
U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before president-elect Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.
Toronto weather: Advisories in effect ahead of 'significant' Monday snowfall
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region.
Nissan, Honda announce plans to merge, creating world's No. 3 automaker
Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger, forming the world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels.
Trump suggests the U.S. should take back the Panama Canal. Could they do that?
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States 'foolishly' ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged 'ridiculous' fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
What's open and closed over the holidays in Canada
As Canadians take time off to celebrate the holidays, many federal offices, stores and businesses will be closed across the country on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The rent-a-friend industry is booming among Canada's Chinese diaspora
Dozens of people are offering rent-a-friend services on Xiaohongshu, a social media platform also known as Little Red Book or China's Instagram, in cities including Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.