Estaire residents in shock after second death

Provincial Police have confirmed that a body was found Sunday night in the same home where a woman was murdered in Estaire three weeks ago.

OPP spokesperson Sergeant Carolle Dionne said officers were called to the home around 9:30 p.m.

Forty-year-old Sheri-Lynn McEwan was found badly injured in that same house on Oct. 7. She later died of her injuries.

Police are treating her death as a homicide. But in this case, foul play is not suspected, Dionne said.

“Due to the circumstances, when there's no foul play suspected, this is protocol for any no-foul-play situation."

Police said they would not release the identity of the deceased, but the Estaire Wanup Fire Department released a photo and a statement on its Facebook page:

“It is with unspeakable sadness that we report the death, last evening, of our friend, firefighting brother and Deputy Chief Terry Boyle. His spirit has been reunited with his much loved wife Sheri-Lynn.”

In a press release issued Monday afternoon, the fire service said Boyle's death was "sudden and tragic," adding to the shock of the "apparent murder of Deputy Chief Boyle's wife, Sheri-Lynn McEwan. Details of the investigation into her passing have been sparse and community residents are encouraged to remain vigilant for any suspicious behaviour or events."

Police have not said if the murder investigation is connected to this recent death.

Officers remain on scene in Estaire as the investigation into the murder of McEwan continues.

Staying vigilant

The owner of the nearby Wanup General store said the deaths have cast a chill over the community.

"So when it happens in your own community, yeah, people got pretty scared, because they aren't saying anything and frightened and they're staying home at night," Linda Hutchison said. "[As] soon as they come home from work, that's it, everybody's staying in."

Hutchison said her store has seen a drop in evening business since McEwan's murder. Since the tragedy happened, she has started doing something she had never done before.

"I've lived out here 40 years and never locked my door. I am now."

As she interacts with customers, Hutchison said she has heard every variation of every scenario about the couple's untimely deaths.

Dionne said she knows the situation frustrating. And while the second death after the homicide does make matters more complicated, Dionne said she still can't say anything.

"It does pose a lot of questions and having concerns," she said. "We still say to be vigilant out there and, if it be with this homicide or any other, be vigilant of your surroundings."