Police remain at scene on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Photo Courtesy Darren Rathwell)

By Chris Brown

Second-degree murder

City man charged in death of domestic partner

Oct 27, 2021 | 11:17 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A Medicine Hat man is charged with murder in the death of his domestic partner.

Police announced late on Tuesday afternoon that a deceased female was found at a residence in the zero hundred block of Third Street SE on Oct. 25 and an adult male was taken into custody.

Timothy Faulkner, 53, has been charged with second-degree murder. He appeared in court today and the case was adjourned to Nov. 10.

Insp. Brent Secondiak of the Medicine Hat Police Service says they offer their condolences to the family of the victim.

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He said this type of intimate partner violence is extremely tragic.

“Unfortunately we go to many domestic violence calls every day and very few end up in homicides but it does occur in Medicine Hat and across Alberta and Canada,” he said. “So it’s tragic and it’s something we really work hard with our community partners, with the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society to make sure this type of event doesn’t occur.”

Secondiak says police had minimal contact with Faulkner before Monday, responding to one domestic violence incident a few years ago and no charges were laid at the time.

There is no risk to the general public and the investigation is ongoing.

“It’s still in the initial stages. These type of files are incredibly complex. It’ll take weeks if not months before they have a full comprehension of what occured on the 25th,” Secondiak says. “Our major crimes unit and our forensic crimes unit are working hard to piece together what happened.”

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip via mhps.ca or mobile app.

Police are also reminding people that the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is available to support individuals and families experiencing domestic/family violence. To access resources, contact the 24-Hour Help Line by calling 403-529-1091 or Toll Free at 1-800-661-7949. Workers can provide; help and support, safety planning, information and referrals, intake into the emergency shelter or intake for other programs provided at MHWSS. All calls are completely confidential.

Secondiak adds the Canadian Mental Health Association or Alberta Health Services have programs for mental health issues and Alberta Health Services can also assist with addictions issues.

Police say support is being provided to the victim’s family by the MHPS Victims Assistance Unit and the family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Domestic violence calls like this take a toll on officers as well, Secondiak said.

“It’s quite traumatic on our members and we take steps internally to make sure that our members can deal with it,” he said. “It’s hard on investigators. It’s something we train for but we hope we never have to use. Unfortunately, it does happen occasionally but it’s our goal to get through it, have a professional investigation with a positive outcome.”