Court lifts publication ban in death of woman found in Ancaster intersection

A 28-year-old Hamilton man charged following the death of his wife - discovered unresponsive in an Ancaster intersection - briefly appeared in court by video Wednesday, where an erroneous publication ban was lifted.

Daniel Lee remains out on bail facing a charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life to Oksana Lee.

He is also facing a charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The drug charge is as a result of evidence learned from this investigation," Hamilton police said.

The Spectator can only now report Lee's name after the removal of a publication ban typically used to protect the identity of sexual assault victims. The ban had been applied in January despite the fact that the charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life does not fall into the list of offences to which that section of the Criminal Code (486.4) applies. By prohibiting identifying the victim, the accused could not be named to protect her identity.

On Wednesday, the court removed the ban at the request of the provincial Crown's office after The Spectator raised the issue.

A standard publication ban prohibiting publishing evidence discussed in court and reasons for bail remains in place.

The Spectator has previously reported that emergency services were called to Kitty Murray Lane and Garner Road East just before 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 and found the victim critically injured in the intersection. She was pronounced dead in hospital.

The investigation led police to a nearby house on Emick Drive, where the accused and the victim lived. Daniel Lee was arrested at that address, where a blue tarp was later visible covering a vehicle parked in the driveway.

Police believe there was an altercation between the pair about an hour before she was discovered. Police have recovered video as part of the investigation.

The accused was also injured, but details are not clear. Det. Sgt. Jason Cattle of the homicide unit said the injuries to the accused forms part of the investigation."

It took some time for police to make contact with the victim's family. However, police confirmed they have connected with family in Ukraine.

Police said the investigation is complex and ongoing. The official cause of death is still considered outstanding.

The matter returns to court April 5.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Frank De Vuono at 905-546-3827. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com