Ottawa police look to determine if mental illness played a role in Stittsville double murder-suicide
Posted Jan 16, 2013 06:57:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, Ont. – Ottawa police are now trying to determine whether or not mental illness played a part in a double murder-suicide in Stittsville.
Police have identified the two children and the woman found dead, all residents of the home, as Jon Alexander Corchis, 10, Katheryn Elizabeth Corchis, 6, and Alison Constance Easton, 40. Easton was taken to hospital where she later died.
The Ottawa Citizen is citing sources claiming Easton had a long history of mental illness.
Insp. John Maxwell of Ottawa Police told reporters that the family only had minor contact with police in the past; what he called “barking dog” type complaints. He said he wasn’t aware if Easton had a history of mental illness.
Easton left two notes at the scene. One was addressed to the children’s father, Jon Corchis, and the other to Ottawa police.
The three bodies were found by the children’s father and police say he has been co-operating with their investigation.
Firefighters and paramedics entered the home before police, after Jon called 911.
“Thank God there are men and women out there that go into the darkness like we do,” said Insp. Maxwell. “(Of) the first officers on the scene, most of them have families; this is very, very difficult.”
The home where the three were discovered is just across the street from Stittsville Public School. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has called in grief counsellors, to offer support to classmates and staff.
A visibly-shaken Director of Education spoke with reporters, Tuesday morning, at the Board’s office.
“All of us, and in particular the Stittsville Public School community, are in mourning,” said Dr. Jennifer Adams. “A Tragic Events Response Team has been put in place at the school to provide assistance, counselling and support to students and staff to assist them in their healing process.”
Dr. Adams asked the media to give the staff and students room to grieve on their own.
The school board will be sending home a letter with students, which offers tips for parents on how to address the tragedy with their kids.
An autopsy for Easton was scheduled for Tuesday. Autopsies on the children were being performed Wednesday, to determine the cause of death.
No one is in custody in this case and police say charges are not anticipated.
A memorial for the victims has not yet been planned.
