Man charged in suspicious Ancaster death released on bail

A 28-year-old man charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life after his wife was found unresponsive in the middle of an Ancaster intersection earlier this month has been released on bail.

The woman was later pronounced dead in hospital and Hamilton police homicide detectives took over the case. However, the suspicious death" has not been ruled a homicide and many details about what happened remain under investigation.

The man appeared in court Monday and was released on a $20,000 pledge with his father acting as surety. He cannot be identified because of a publication ban on the identity of the victim. The Spectator is attempting to seek clarity on this ban. Details, including evidence read during the bail hearing, also cannot be reported because of a separate, standard publication ban.

Bail was not contested by the Crown and conditions include living with his surety, not driving and not leaving the house between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

What is known is that emergency services were called to the intersection of Kitty Murray Lane and Garner Road East just before 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 and found the critically injured woman. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

The investigation led police to an address near the scene on Emick Drive, where the accused and the victim lived, said Det. Sgt. Jason Cattle.

He confirmed the accused was arrested at that address.

Following the arrest, a blue tarp was visible covering a vehicle parked in the driveway. Cattle said the tarp was there because of the inclement weather and it was being used to prevent loss of evidence."

Cattle called the investigation complex" and ongoing. He said multiple aspects remain under investigation, including cause of death, the involvement of vehicles and whether drugs were a factor.

Detectives believe there was an altercation between a man and woman in the area about an hour before the woman was discovered in the road. Police previously put out a public appeal looking for the driver of a dark Ford pickup truck on Kitty Murray Lane around 5:30 a.m. Jan. 18 who may have witnessed the altercation.

Cattle said that person was located and has spoken with police. The driver is considered a witness.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no danger to the public or people living in that neighbourhood," he said.

Under the Criminal Code, the charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life can apply to parents or guardians of someone under 16, spouses or common-law partners, or someone who has a person under their charge who is unable to care for themselves. Sentences can range up to five years.

The case returns to court Feb. 24.

Anyone with information, including anyone in the area or with surveillance video between 4 and 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 18., 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