Abbotsford mother of two Leanne Friesen (above) was found dead of gunshot wounds in her home on Wednesday night. Her estranged husband Jeffrey Friesen has been charged with second-degree murder.
Photograph by: Facebook photo , Abbotsford Times
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 in the garage of her home with fatal gunshot wounds by Abbotsford police officers on Wednesday night, said Cpl. Adam MacIntosh of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team 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 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 on Thursday.
"Regrettably the outcome come of that investigation was the worst possible scenario," said MacDonald.
The couple had two children who were in the house but not present for the discovery of the Friesen's body, he said.
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 court appearance in Abbotsford provincial court on Tuesday, said MacIntosh.
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