No suspects sought in two sudden deaths
Fredericton police chief says investigation into double fatality is ongoing at southside apartment, notes both deceased are of Russian descent; no names being released
The two people found dead in a southside apartment Saturday morning both lived there and were of Russian descent, says Fredericton’s top cop, and officers aren’t pursuing suspects in the case.
Given a busier-than-normal weekend for police in the capital, Fredericton Police Force Chief Martin Gaudet held a news conference Sunday afternoon to brief reporters, and top of the agenda was a double fatality.
As the Fredericton Independent reported Saturday, Gaudet confirmed the police force received a 911 call at about 11 a.m. about an incident at 94 Forest Hill Rd., the site of a new apartment building that online records show belongs to Gorham Real Estate, and officers responded.
“Upon arrival, they found two individuals deceased,” he said.
“The individuals are of Russian descent.”
While the two people have been identified, the chief said, their names aren’t being released because notifying the next of kin is proving challenging, given the international connection.
He said Fredericton officers are working with the RCMP and international authorities to facilitate that notification.
Gaudet declined to indicate the genders or ages of the decedents, though he confirmed both lived in the apartment in which they were found and had been in Canada for 16 years.
“There is no threat to public safety at this time,” he said.
While the investigation continues, Gaudet said, officers don’t believe someone else was involved.
“We’re not seeking any suspects at this time,” he said.
The chief declined to say if the incident was a murder-suicide.
When officers arrived, he said, the scene was fresh, indicating whatever prompted the 911 call had just occurred.
Gaudet declined to say if firearms or other weapons were involved.
Officers with the Fredericton Police Force’s major crime and forensic identification units were on the scene for hours Saturday, and the Fredericton Independent learned an employee with New Brunswick coroner services was also on hand.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.