'It's horrible': Neighbour says Keswick homicide victim was 'a lovely woman'
Police in York Region are investigating a homicide after a woman's body was discovered following a fire in Georgina.
Emergency crews were called to a residence on Miami Drive in Keswick for a fire in the early morning hours on Sat., Jan. 15.
Police say the body of 85-year-old Sandy Gauthier was found once crews extinguished the blaze.
They say an autopsy confirmed her death to be a homicide.
Neighbours said Gauthier, a grandmother of nine, lived in the house with her husband for years until his passing in 2014.
They said she loved to bake cookies and go for walks.
Neighbour Ida Laszlo said she's "disgusted" by the news of the woman's death.
"Who would ever want to hurt an 85-year-old woman?" she said. "She was a lovely person. To me, somebody knew she lived alone. It's horrible. The family must be devastated."
Laszlo said she noticed smoke at the back of the house that quickly turned to flames as firefighters and police surrounded the area.
"To find out that it was a homicide, oh my god. Why? I keep asking why?" she said.
Police have not released the cause of death or whether there are any suspects.
They are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious.
"If you saw something that just didn't sit right and you felt like it was concerning, but you didn't call at the time, it's a good time to come forward and share that information," said Const. Laura Nicolle.
Investigators are also seeking security or dash cam video from the area or of the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the York Regional Homicide Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865 or via email.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be made with Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.