4 people found dead in southwestern Ontario town of Harrow
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after four people were found dead in the town of Harrow, just south of Windsor.
Essex OPP officers were called to a residence on County Road 13 at approximately 1:30 p.m. on June 20, where they located four deceased individuals.
While the cause of death and their identities cannot yet be confirmed, investigators believe there is no imminent threat to public safety, although the OPP reminds all members of the public to be aware of their personal safety at all times. Essex mayor Sherry Bondy says the victims were a man, woman and two children.OPP officers are investigating four deaths in Harrow, Ont., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
West Region media relations coordinator Derek Rogers tells CTV News says they can’t divulge many details of the case while it’s under investigation.
“It’s a tragic event,” says Rogers. “Death investigations affect officers, they affect the community at large. This family has been profoundly affected.”
Postmortem examinations will be conducted at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in London.
The investigation by the Essex County OPP Crime Unit is continuing under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from OPP Forensic Identification Services, and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.OPP officers are investigating four deaths in Harrow, Ont., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
Residents of the area should expect to see a large police presence for the next several days.
Community in mourning
The flags are lowered at municipal buildings in Essex, Colchester and Harrow to honour the lives lost.Flags at municipal buildings are lowered in Harrow, Colchester and Essex, Ont., on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
“I couldn’t imagine it. I’m in a fog,” said Bondy.
Bondy says she was shocked when she heard the news from OPP.
“This is a human tragedy, nothing can prepare you for something like this,” says Bondy.
Bondy says the community is mourning after hearing that a father, mother and two children have died.
“Harrow is really tight. Almost everybody knows everybody, so our whole community our hearts are broken especially when you hear children are involved,”
Bondy says the family was active in the community and the town is doing what it can to help residents deal with the incident.
“This is a conversation I never thought I’d have to have with my children is somebody that you knew is no longer here due to an act of violence like this in the family,” says Bondy.
Bondy says other things the town has had to deal with pale in comparison to this tragedy.
“2023 was the year of storms, natural disasters, but I’ll take a natural disaster over this any day,” she says.
Bondy posted on her Facebook page Friday that “In light of the recent tragic event that occurred in Harrow, the Town of Essex is encouraging any individuals in need of support to contact the Canadian Mental Health Association.”
Police say any person with information regarding this investigation should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Killer who stabbed victim 'at least 52 times' dies in B.C. prison
A 72-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for a brutal murder that happened in Chilliwack in 2016 has died, according to the Correctional Service of Canada.
Israeli airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut after another strike destroyed buildings
The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday in a series of massive explosions that targeted the leader of the militant group and levelled multiple high-rise apartment buildings.
American woman gets SUV stuck in elevator bay at B.C. casino
A U.S. driver somehow squeezed her vehicle through a parkade hallway at a Metro Vancouver casino Thursday, before getting stuck at an elevator bank.
Hurricane Helene kills at least 44 and cuts a swath of destruction across the Southeast
Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 44 people, snapping towering oaks like twigs and tearing apart homes as rescue crews launched desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.
After decades-long search, northern Ontario man finds vintage vehicle in Larder Lake
A tale about a taxicab hauling gold and sinking through the ice on Larder Lake, Ont., in December 1937 has captivated a man from that town for decades.
2 people caught illegally crossing the International Railroad Bridge into the U.S.: border officials
Two Italian citizens have been apprehended after allegedly illegally crossing over the International Railroad Bridge to the United States.
Former military reservist sentenced for shotgun video calling Liberal MP a 'communist agent' for China
A former Canadian military reservist has been sentenced to house arrest after posting a video of himself firing a shotgun at a picture of a member of Parliament whom he accused of being a 'communist agent' for China.
P.E.I. shellfish festival gastrointestinal illness outbreak largest in province's history: health officer
More than 550 symptomatic people responded to an online questionnaire about a gastrointestinal illness at a Prince Edward Island shellfish festival last weekend.
Family of man who died in incident involving Calgary police issues statement
The family of Jon Wells, a man who died in an incident involving Calgary police earlier this month, say they are seeking time to grieve their loss.