The victim of a fatal stabbing in Brandon was a mother of seven. Relatives identified the woman as 37-year-old Crystal Elk.

They said she died trying to help her mother-in-law, who was in a dispute with a man she lived with on Dennis Street.

According to family, Crystal was called over to help retrieve some items from the apartment. Her mother-in-law lived in it with Cameron Douglas Burnett, the man now charged with second-degree murder for Crystal's death.

A relative spoke with CTV News on Thursday. He didn't want his name used in order to protect his sister who is mourning the death of Crystal.

"My sisters (is)…all shook up because that's her daughter-in-law," he said. "(It's a) great trauma, great loss," said the man.

The man said he isn't sure what happened on Tuesday night, but said things got heated and Crystal was stabbed.

"My sister said she heard a scream from the house," he said.

Police responded just before 2 a.m. and found Crystal in a nearby back lane. Officers also saw a man dragging the mother-in-law into the apartment.

The two were locked inside for nearly five hours before police broke a window to get in and make an arrest.

People who live nearby said they often heard verbal arguments coming from the suite.

Kim Iwasiuk works with the Women's Resource Centre in Brandon.

"It's an unfortunate incident in our community and also for the families that this has certainly rippled out too - but it certainly speaks volumes to what we need to do and gaps in our community as far as services for women and their children," said Iwasiuk.

Family members said Crystal Elk was friendly, loving and outgoing. They said she was always willing to help out.

Cameron Burnett has a court appearance set for Nov. 7.

- with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb