The husband of an Abbotsford woman found dead in her home Wednesday has been charged with second-degree murder.

Leanne Friesen, a 40-year-old mother of two, was discovered by Abbotsford Police in the garage of her house with fatal gunshot wounds on Wednesday night, Cpl. Adam MacIntosh of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Friday.

The victim's estranged husband, Jeffrey Friesen, was arrested on scene and now is formally charged with the murder of his wife.

APD officers had been dispatched to Friesen's home SCAN TO in the 34800 block of Cassiar Court at 7: 30 p.m. after a family member phoned the department concerned about the victim's welfare, APD Const. Ian MacDonald said Thursday.

"Regrettably the outcome of that investigation was the worst possible scenario," said MacDonald.

The couple's two children were in the house but not present for the discovery of Friesen's body, he said.

The APD hadn't been called to the house in the past to attend any domestic disputes or significant incidents, but investigators will explore more deeply to see if there were unreported incidents in the past, according to MacDonald.

"Just because [domestic violence] hasn't been reported to police doesn't mean it didn't happen previously," said MacDonald, adding no level of domestic violence is acceptable.

"We're dealing with a tragedy and we're dealing with a case of domestic violence, which is obviously a high priority for all police departments."

The family asking police to check on the woman was the right step to take, and MacDonald suggested every citizen should do the same if they feel there is any suggestion of domestic violence.

"It's the type of action we need everybody to take," he said.

"We need to get involved in these incidents; we need to try to stop them.

"This incident represents a tragic loss of life and we wish to extend condolences to friends and family of the victim," he said.

Jeffrey Friesen remains in custody and will make his first appearance in Abbotsford provincial court Tuesday (today), said MacIntosh.

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RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com