A 61-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his wife in the 600 block of Jefferson Avenue early Sunday morning.
Police were called to the location and found a 59-year-old woman suffering from serious upper body trauma, say police. She is believed to have died on scene.
Officers say the victim was attacked with a household object. CTV News has learned the weapon involved was a hammer.
A relative of the couple tells CTV the alleged suspect is Mike Kapsik, the victim's husband.
The couple moved to Winnipeg from the Czech Republic several decades ago.
This is the first homicide in Winnipeg this year, say officers. There were five incidents this time last year.
The couple has no documented history of domestic dispute, say police. No one else was at the home during the incident.
"Motive and the deeper issue of why such a violent attack took place we still need to sift through," says Constable Jason Michalyshen.
Neighbours are struggling with the news.
Stewart Shaw lives above the couple's apartment suite. He says there were strange sounds coming from below his residence late into the night.
"I heard some loud banging...it lasted around 25 seconds," he says. "I thought nothing of it. I thought maybe they were moving furniture around and stuff."
"They are a quiet couple," says Brin Kahan, another neighbour. "Never in my life would I think it would come to this."
"For sure I was scared, this is not a safe place no more," says Cleo Delafunte. "It's scary, it's scary."
The homicide unit is continuing to investigate.
- with a report from CTV's Navjot Heir
