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WINNIPEG
Monday, August 15, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
Arrest in single mom’s death Victim and accused attacker were ‘strangers’, Winnipeg police said
Suspect facing 25 years in prison if convicted JAMES TURNER/METRO
A young Manitoba man has been locked up and is facing the most serious criminal charge on the books after the death of a young single mother at her quiet suburban home. Schuyler Francis van Wissen, 26, will make a first formal court appearance this morning to face first-degree murder and assault with a weapon charges. Gina Swanson was attacked in her Edderton Avenue home in the early morning of May 14, according to police. She was found dead shortly before noon that same day by a relative who came to check on her. She left behind a young daughter. “We’re dealing with a very brutal incident here,” said WPS spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen. “It’s very unsettling, no question.” Swanson and the suspect had no prior relationship, said police. Michalyshen said he didn’t want to speculate, but said, “it’s possible” she was randomly targeted. Michalyshen said other details of the crime — including anything regarding motive — were not immediate-
Candles and flowers still line the steps of Gina Swanson’s Edderton Avenue home yesterday, four months after she was found dead inside.
ly available. More details may come out today, he said. Van Wissen was arrested in Toronto on Friday after homicide investigators flew there to fetch him. The unit’s supervisor was among the officers who made the trip. Police couldn’t say when the
warrant for van Wissen’s arrest was drawn up. The first-degree murder charge raises questions about how police believe Swanson was killed. Aside from being warranted when there’s an indication a killing was planned or
contracted, a first-degree murder charge can also be laid if a victim was killed in the course of being kidnapped, confined or sexually assaulted. Michalyshen couldn’t comment on why the specific charge was laid. Swanson’s neighbours said
they’re relieved there’s been an arrest. “It was a bad situation,” said Mike McLenehan. “I’d like to believe it wasn’t a random incident, so that you can go back to feeling like you live in a safe neighbourhood,” he said. JAMES TURNER