Police investigate woman’s death

Man taken into custody at Howie Centre residence

HOWIE CENTRE — A woman is dead and a man in custody following an incident at a home in Howie Centre Friday morning.

At about 8 a.m., officers responded to a domestic incident at 2278 Kings Rd.

Desiree Magnus, a spokesperson for the Cape Breton Regional Police, said two occupants were inside. Paramedics were also on scene and attended to a 71-yearold woman, who they pronounced deceased a short time later. A 73-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he remains in police custody.

Magnus said the man and woman are known to each other and investigators are treating this as an isolated incident. As a result, there's no risk to public safety.

She said investigators are working with officers in the forensic identification unit and medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death.

Magnus said no other information on the incident can be released at this time. The scene will be held by police until investigators and forensic officers complete the work that needs to be done there.

The home is registered to owners Gregory and Brenda Dilney, according to the province's land registry database.

The house is on a busy stretch of highway but motorists passing by were slowing down to look at the scene. The front of the property was cordoned off with police emergency tape and a police vehicle was parked in front of the house.

Richard Dilney, who lives next door, said a senior couple lived in the house and he knows them very well.

Dilney, who has lived on Kings Road since 1968, said the couple has also lived there for a long time.

Early Friday morning, Dilney said he was alerted to the fact something happened by seeing a large number of police cars suddenly arriving at the house, as well as ambulances.

“I saw him being taken into custody,” he said, adding he also learned the woman was deceased.

“I don't know much more than that.”

Dilney was a little emotional, looking down at the floor as he talked.

“I'm having a hard time with it right now,” he said quietly.

SHARON MONTGOMERY-DUPE • CAPE BRETON POST Const. Brett Bursey of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service is shown on the scene at 2278 Kings Road in Howie Centre Friday afternoon, where a 71-year-old woman was found dead Friday morning and a 73-year-old man was taken into custody. Police say they were called to the Howie Centre residence at 8 a.m. regarding a domestic incident.