Death ruled a homicide; charges laid

A suspicious death that happened Friday evening in Dartmouth has been ruled a homicide and charges have been laid.

At 7:42 p.m. Friday, Halifax Regional Police responded to a report of an assault in progress on Hastings Drive in Dartmouth.

Officers discovered an injured man outside a building who was transported to Dartmouth General Hospital by EHS with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries. Officers also found an unresponsive woman in a building. EHS pronounced the woman deceased.

Based on a weekend autopsy, the Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. The victim was identified as Nadia Gonzales, 35, of Dartmouth.

Through the course of the investigation, four men and a woman were taken into custody. Three men have since been released and charges were laid against the other two individuals.

Calvin Maynard Sparks, 23, of Dartmouth has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of probation.

Samanda Rose Ritch, 19, of Halifax has been charged with first degree murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of recognizance. Both are scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today.

The investigation continues, led by the Homicide Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division and including Forensic Identification officers, and personnel remained on scene Sunday.