'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
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.