Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in Christmas Day Hintonburg homicide

The Ottawa police homicide unit is investigating the death of a 46-year-old woman in Ottawa's Hintonburg neighbourhood on Christmas Day.

Police have identified the victim as Jolene Arreak.

Officers were called to Spadina Avenue at about 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday and arrested a suspect, police said on social media.

A second person was also injured and treated in hospital, according to a police news release.

Manasi Foo, 35, has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.

He appeared in court Thursday via Zoom.

Neighbours, family shocked 

Michael Young has lived in the neighbourhood his entire life and said he was shocked when he saw police cars and an ambulance show up on his street Wednesday evening.

"Everybody knows each other, we're all friendly. So to hear that [police are investigating a homicide] is quite shocking, especially at Christmas," he said.

Julie Plourde lives next door to the scene. She said she's still processing the news. 

"It's very scary," she said. "I mean to happen right next door to our house. We've been living here for so long and we never, ever, ever would have thought this would have happened."

Plourde said Arreak was in the neighbourhood visiting relatives for Christmas.

Lena Nashook, Arreak's cousin, told CBC that Foo and Arreak were related.

"It's so sad," Nashook wrote in a message to CBC. "Jolene was bubbly [and] outgoing and loved all her relatives."

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper called the incident "extremely tragic" and urged anyone experiencing distress to reach out for help.

Police said Arreak is the 25th homicide victim in Ottawa this year.