Woman found dead in apartment
Man arrested near scene charged with second-degree murder
Hamilton police are investigating the city’s 11th homicide of the year after a woman was found dead in a downtown apartment Monday night.
The discovery of her body came about an hour after police were first called to the Sherman Avenue and King Street East area for a man who needed medical attention. The victim was found in the man’s third-floor apartment.
Shaun Chiasson, 39, from Hamilton is charged with second-degree murder.
Neighbours says Chiasson lived with a woman. However, police said Tuesday that detectives are still working to confirm the victim’s identity and reach next of kin.
The incident began with a 911 call around 9:10 p.m. on Sept. 21 reporting a man who needed help at Sherman and King, said Det. Sgt. Peter Thom of the major crime unit.
When police and paramedics responded, they found the 39-yearold. One of the responding officers recognized the man as someone he had previously dealt with.
Thom said Chiasson previously had “some minor run-ins” with police in the area.
He was transported to hospital and police began an investigation that led them to his nearby apartment.
“The way the male was found, the extent of his injuries, they felt
there may have been some concern for other persons,” Thom said.
With the help of the building’s superintendent, police entered the apartment around 10 p.m. and discovered the victim with “obvious trauma.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thom said he couldn’t yet talk about what caused her injuries, including whether a weapon was used. He also wouldn’t comment on the man’s injuries, other than to say he underwent surgery.
It is “premature” to comment on any relationship between the accused and the victim, he said.
On Tuesday, police tape surrounded a brick three-storey walk-up building on King, west of Sherman. Forensic officers could be seen processing the scene.
Thom said they will resume their search Wednesday.
During a search in the area Tuesday no weapon was found, he said.
One of the tenants in the building, who identified himself as Will, said a man he knew only by the first name Shaun lived in a unit on the third floor of his building.
He knows the couple, who have lived there for several years, and says police have been called there before. The man came to his apartment on the night of the homicide around 6:30 p.m.
Will said he heard a knock on his apartment door and then the neighbour said “a little birdie told me to come see you.” He wasn’t wearing any shoes or socks.
Will said he thought this was odd, but gave the man a cigarette and they watched television for about 20 minutes before the man left. He didn’t see him again.
Around 8 p.m., Will said he brought out his garbage and was outside for 20 minutes to half an hour. He noticed nothing amiss and didn’t hear any commotion, until he woke to see police Tuesday morning. In the hallway, he could see evidence markers on the ground.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Lisa Chambers at 905-546-3843. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.