Police say a 52-year-old Barrie man who was killed Saturday night was strangled.
According to the results of an autopsy done in Toronto today, Michael Baker was strangled at a rooming house in Barrie’s north-end. Police allege his death came at the hands of a neighbour: 51-year-old Ernie Bruce Richards.
Baker was found dead at the rooming house complex after 11:30 p.m.
Karen Sorton, who lives in the rooming house, tries to hold back tears as she speaks just two days after her ex-boyfriend was killed.
“Michael was a beautiful man,” she says. “He was a beautiful man. I’m trying to stay strong…”
Earlier in the evening, at about 9:30 p.m., Barrie police were called to the same rooming house for a disturbance between Baker and Richards says Const. Melanie Turner.
About 30 minutes after arriving, police cleared the call and left the area. Just before 11:30 p.m. the suspect was spotted walking in only a t-shirt, shorts, socks, and shoes near the hospital. He was taken to RVH for assessment because he was displaying signs of mental health issues. At that time he informed police about an incident back at the rooming house. Police returned to the apartment and found Baker’s body.
Sorton was there Saturday night. She says she didn't see anything until today when she says police showed her part of the video surveillance from the incident.
“Ernie going into the door … and then it didn’t open and he kicked it open,” she says.
Today, Barrie's police chief says the investigation will look into the victim, suspect, and police response.
“We have officers that are assigned to the investigation and they will ensure they review all contact that the accused and the victim had with the police that night and previous nights,” Chief Kimberley Greenwood says.
Richards is set to make his next court appearance on Nov. 6. Police say the residents inside the rooming house are cooperating. They also say they have more video to sift through.
