An 89-year-old woman is dead and a 34-year-old woman is facing charges in a homicide in Oshawa, Durham Regional Police say.
Police say the victim, identified as Alletta Rusnell, was found dead after officers were called to an “unknown trouble” call at her Wayne Avenue apartment suite at about 12:25 a.m. Sunday.
Rusnell suffered obvious signs of trauma, police said in a news release.
Investigators believe she was killed in an altercation with a second woman.
An autopsy is scheduled to confirm the senior's cause of death.
Neighbours told CP24 they were too distraught to speak publicly, but one person provided a written statement on behalf of the tenants saying residents are “shocked and deeply saddened about the loss of our beloved friend.”
“She was the kind of lady you would want for a sister, mother, grandmother and friend, always cheerful, light-hearted, interesting to talk with and a great conversationalist as well,” the statement said. "Aletta was always genuinely interested in what you were doing. We want to express our heartfelt condolences to her family at this tragic time.”
Police said Sharon Baksh, a 34-year-old neighbour of the victim, was arrested without incident at the scene and has been charged with second-degree murder.
She was remanded into custody Sunday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 24.
This is Durham Region’s first homicide of 2013.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5247 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
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