Charges upgraded in Ottawa’s first-ever named femicide in 2024

Nearly eight months after Ottawa police used the term femicide to describe the death of Jennifer Zabarylo, officers upgraded charges in the case.

April 9, police said in a release that the homicide of the 47-year-old was upgraded from second-degree to first-degree murder based on additional evidence gathered by officers.

Michael Zarbarylo, 55, of Ottawa was charged on Aug. 26 in relation to the death.

Officers were called to the home located in the small neighbourhood of Corkery, just west of Stittsville, on Lady Slipper Way at 6:40 p.m.

It is considered a femicide, police said, since the death occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, “which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings.”

It marked the first time police used the term “femicide” since the force decided to use it for gender-related crimes in 2022.

Five femicides in Ottawa

Since the death of Jennifer Zabarylo, Ottawa police have investigated four other femicides in the nation’s capital in the span of less than a year.

In October 2024, police would declare the second femicide case of the year.

Brkti Berche, was at a park on Uplands Drive in the morning with two of her four children when she was stabbed to death.

Officials charged 36-year-old Fsha Tekhle of Montreal with first-degree murder in connection to the fatal stabbing. He had a domestic relationship with a family member of the victim.

On Christmas Day, police named the third victim of a femicide.

Police were called to the 100 block of Spadina Avenue just after 6 p.m. The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Jolene Arreak of Ottawa. 

Manasi Foo, 35, has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder of a second victim who was treated in hospital.

In 2025, police have opened two femicide cases. Renee Descary, 51, of Ottawa, was killed on April 1.

Oliver Denia, 24, of Ottawa, was charged with second-degree murder.

Days later, charges would be laid in the city’s second femicide case.

Police responded to a home on Bentbrook Crescent in Barrhaven on April 5. Inside the home, police found 61-year-old Brenda Rus dead.

Robert Rus, 61, is facing charges of first-degree murder.