Homicide police investigating after woman found fatally stabbed outside shelter
Staff and patrons of an inner city shelter are reeling after homicide police were called to the area Thursday morning after the fatal stabbing of a 48-year-old woman well known in the community.
The woman — Rose Cutknife — was identified by staff and patrons at Boyle Street Community Services, 10116 105 Ave., across the street from where she was found suffering fatal stab wounds.
City police were called to the scene outside The George Spady Centre, 10015 105A Ave., a detox shelter, about 7:15 a.m. and the woman was transported to hospital where she died. Homicide investigators quickly took over.
Patrons said Cutknife was stabbed after getting into a confrontation with a man who had also been inside the facility.
Police later Thursday morning had taped off the entire parking lot attached to the Spady. Investigators were taking photos of the scene.
Staff and patrons at Boyle Street described Cutknife as a wonderful woman and those who know her are hurting as a result of the shocking death. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Elliott Tanti, spokesman for Boyle Street, said there’s a palpable feeling of devastation, sadness, shock and loss in the community centre.
“I think the struggle is death is all too common in our work and in our community and so it’s not unusual but that doesn’t mean it hurts any less,” said Tanti.
“I think when it’s someone you get to know and see every day, that is particularly impactful on our staff but also having to watch street family and best friends of that individual deal with the loss of their family member and friend is also very difficult.”
Tanti said police have offered victim services to help anyone at the centre, including staff and clients, better cope with the loss. A help line and grief counsellors are available.
“As an organization, we take mental health and mental wellness very seriously,” said Tanti.
Workers at Boyle Street are planning the next memorial for shelter-users who have died over the past several months; a tribute to Cutknife’s life will likely be held at the May event.
If deemed a homicide, this would be the city’s 10th of 2019.
On March 22, a 35-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Lakewood Village in southeast Edmonton. Then on March 24, 26-year-old Abubeker Abduraman was shot dead by a gunman who fired into the windows of a Whyte Avenue hookah bar.