Montreal femicide probe after woman found dead in Villeray apartment
Montreal femicide probe: 44-year-old woman found dead in Villeray; 51-year-old man hospitalized and considered a suspect this weekend as SPVM investigates.
A Montreal police investigation into a possible femicide was under way after a 44-year-old woman was discovered dead in an apartment in Villeray–Saint‑Michel–Parc‑Extension on Saturday afternoon. The discovery prompted an urgent police response to a unit on 9th Avenue near boulevard Crémazie East, where officers also found a 51-year-old man with serious upper‑body injuries. The man was taken to hospital by Urgences‑santé and was considered a suspect as investigators treated the scene as a homicide.
Woman found dead inside 9th Avenue apartment
Police officers were called to the address on 9th Avenue at about 1:45 p.m. on Saturday to check on the welfare of an individual, according to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). On arrival, officers located the body of a 44‑year‑old woman and confirmed her death at the scene. The SPVM has not released the woman’s identity and said it would provide updates as next‑of‑kin notifications and forensic procedures are completed.
Man treated for serious upper‑body wounds is being treated as a suspect
Alongside the victim, patrol officers found a 51‑year‑old man with significant injuries to his upper body, the SPVM said. Urgences‑santé transported him to a hospital where, as of Sunday morning, he remained in critical condition. Despite his injuries, investigators have identified him as a suspect in the incident and are working to determine the sequence of events that led to the violence.
Police say the two people had a conjugal relationship
The SPVM reported on Sunday that the two individuals knew each other and had been in a conjugal relationship. Investigators are treating the case within the framework of domestic violence, which informs both the evidence collection and the lines of inquiry pursued by homicide detectives. Authorities declined to provide further details about the nature or duration of the relationship while the investigation continues.
Evidence suggests wounds caused by a sharp object
The police noted that injuries to both people were consistent with wounds caused by an object that may have been sharp, and the victim’s body bore signs of violence. Forensic technicians and coroners were at the scene to document and recover evidence, and a security perimeter remained in place as officers processed the apartment. Investigators are examining whether any weapons were used or recovered and are canvassing the area for surveillance footage and witnesses.
Counts show rising domestic homicides in the region this year
The SPVM confirmed this incident as the 15th homicide recorded in Montreal so far this year, and it aligns with provincial tallies of violence against women. The Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale has counted this as what would be the 12th woman in Quebec killed by a companion or former companion in 2026. Advocacy groups and community organizations regularly point to such cases when urging more resources for prevention, shelter services, and policing responses to domestic abuse.
Investigative steps and public appeal for information
Montreal homicide detectives and specialised units were continuing their enquiries on Sunday, securing the scene and interviewing possible witnesses and neighbours. Police said they would review forensic evidence, emergency call records and any video that could clarify the timeline leading up to the incident. The SPVM asked anyone with information, dash‑cam footage or relevant observations near the 9th Avenue and Crémazie East area on Saturday afternoon to contact investigators to assist with the probe.
The SPVM emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional details, including the precise cause and timing of death and any charges, will be released when investigators have confirmed facts and notified next of kin. Community supports and victim‑services organizations remain available to anyone affected by this case or by domestic violence more broadly.
