Police have charged a 51-year-old male suspect with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a woman on Dennis Street in Brandon on Tuesday. 

Brandon police were called to the 300 block of Dennis Street around 1:30 a.m.

People who live nearby said a couple moved into a basement suite in the apartment building only a few months ago. Verbal arguments between the two could be heard day and night, said residents.

On Tuesday, the wife's friend was over, helping the woman move some items from the suite.

When tensions escalated, the wife's friend went into a back alley and called police. As she was making the call, she was stabbed.

The victim had a stab wound to the upper body and was located in a back lane behind an apartment block by police.

The 37-year-old woman later died from injuries. The murder is the first one reported in nearly two years. 

When police responded, witnesses told officers the husband had dragged his wife into the basement suite.

Officers then tried to contact the suspect in the suite. The Brandon police tactical response unit and crisis negotiators were called in. Other apartment suites were evacuated.

"It took some time to try and establish contact with the suspect, both by patrol units and special units that were called in. It also took time to evacuate the area," said Const. Ron Burgess with the Brandon Police Service.

Around 6:30 a.m., the tactical officers forced their way into the apartment and arrested the man inside. The wife was found unharmed.

On Wednesday, police said Cameron Douglas Burnett of Carievale, Sask. had been charged with second-degree murder. Officers said Burnett had residences listed in both Brandon and Saskatchewan. 

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley