Case worker killed at southwest Calgary assisted-living facility, police say

Calgary police say a professional case worker was fatally stabbed at an assisted-living residence early Friday morning and they've arrested the client she was trying to help.

Officers were called around 2:45 a.m. to the residence in the 1800 block of 27th Avenue S.W., where they found the woman suffering from stab wounds.

Emergency responders tried to treat her but she died of the injuries.

Police sought an 18-year-old man who lived at the home but couldn't find him. They located him around 5 a.m. in the downtown, where he was arrested.

"It is believed that a verbal and physical confrontation occurred between the man and his case worker, during which the woman was stabbed," police said in a release.

The suspect remains in custody but has not yet been formally charged.

Police identified the victim as Deborah Onwu, a 47-year-old Calgary resident.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety is also investigating.

Onwu described as 'role model'

The Calgary Society for Persons with Disabilities highlighted Onwu's work in its 2017 annual report, describing her as "an extremely valuable asset to CSPD in the five years she has been with us."

"In her role as a relief residential support worker, she can always be counted on to help out in a pinch," the report reads.

"Debbie has great relationships with everyone she interacts with and is known for being a pleasure to work with. When it comes to embodying CSPD's values and what it means to be an outstanding staff member, Debbie is undoubtedly a role model."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.