Son-in-law of London woman charged with 2nd-degree murder after police find body in home

The son-in-law of a 64-year-old woman has been charged with second-degree murder after police found a body in a home in the north end of London, Ont., early Tuesday. 

Lee Couturier, 48, was arrested after officers were called to the home in the 900-block of Chippewa Drive, located in London's Huron Heights neighbourhood, at 7:30 a.m. ET.

Police initially described the incident as a suspicious death investigation, then announced the murder charge in the afternoon.

Phy Puth has been identified by police as the victim. Couturier made his first court appearance following his arrest. 

Neighbours say four people lived in the house: Puth, her daughter, Puth's son-in-law and her grandson.

Puth has been in the house for more than 30 years, neighbours said. Her husband, Seur Taing, died in 2021.

A Facebook message and photo posted Tuesday afternoon by Puth's daughter, Sopheap Kong-Barrera, said, "My angel RIP up in heaven with dad."

Normally quiet neighbourhood in shock

News of the death and murder charge has rattled an otherwise quiet neighbourhood.

Longtime resident Esther Graham woke up to a phone call from neighbours telling her to look at the police and ambulance across the street. 

"They are a really lovely family," said Graham. "They never caused any kind of issues. It's just an awful thing to have happened." 

Graham said Couturier did contracting work part time when he wasn't taking care of his son at home.  

Officers canvassing the neighbourhood Tuesday morning said there was no threat to the public.