Kitchener man who killed wife can take community visits

A Kitchener man, who last year was ruled not criminally responsible for killing his wife, has been granted limited privileges by the Ontario Review Board.

Udo Haan’s new privileges — including community visits and leaving hospital grounds for necessary dental, medical, legal or compassionate purposes — are at the discretion of the “person in charge“of the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care in St. Thomas.

Haan was 58 when he strangled his wife to death on Aug. 22, 2018. He then triggered an explosion that destroyed their Forest Heights house. Edra Haan, 58, was found dead in the backyard.

Haan was charged six weeks later with first-degree murder and arson with disregard for human life.

Superior Court Justice Paul Sweeny ruled on Feb. 2, 2023, that he was not mentally responsible for his actions because of a mental disorder.

“I am satisfied that Mr. Haan did not know that the acts were morally wrong,” Sweeny said while ruling.

Haan has been detained at the St. Thomas psychiatric hospital.

The Ontario Review Board, a tribunal that balances public safety with the need to reintegrate people into the community, issued its decision on Thursday.

The board also ruled that Haan would continue to be detained at the psychiatric facility but could be granted hospital and grounds privileges while accompanied by staff or a person approved by the person in charge.

Directly supervised hospital and grounds privileges can also be permitted.

Visits to Elgin County & Middlesex County, accompanied by staff, an approved person, or indirectly supervised, can also be permitted.

Local police must be notified if Haan leaves the hospital for a community visit.

Haan must also submit, on a random basis, samples of his urine and/or breath to analyze whether he has ingested alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant.

The board ordered that Haan must “abstain absolutely” from the non-medical use of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant.

He must refrain from having any incendiary device or materials in his possession.

Haan had paranoid delusions when he killed his wife. A psychiatrist said he also had a major depressive disorder with “psychotic features.“

Haan thought his wife was part of a prostitution ring run by an organized crime gang, the court was told. Edra Haan worked at Sun Life Financial for about 35 years. Her husband also worked there. They met in high school.