Elgin County, Ontario – An Elgin County man tragically took the life of his girlfriend before ending his own, as revealed by the Ontario Provincial Police three months after the incident. The police identified Kyle Savage, 34, and Tanya Wiebe, 34, as the deceased individuals found inside a home on Roberts Line in Central Elgin near Sparta on January 31.
Post-mortem examinations confirmed that both individuals died from gunshot wounds, with the female’s death being classified as a homicide, according to a statement released by Elgin OPP. Savage was the owner of the house where the couple was discovered.
Friends and family had previously identified Wiebe and Savage as the victims, but the police had refrained from confirming their identities or specifying the shooter due to an ongoing investigation. Wiebe, a devoted mother to her 15-year-old son Chase, from a previous relationship, was known for her love for the outdoors and spending time with loved ones.
Weeks following Wiebe’s passing, a three-on-three hockey tournament was organized at the London Sports Park arena in her honor. The players wore purple jerseys, symbolizing domestic violence awareness, with Wiebe’s initials to commemorate her.
The decision by the OPP to disclose the identities of the couple and declare the incident a murder-suicide is a departure from the usual practice of the London police. Local women’s advocates have long advocated for the release of names in murder-suicide cases.
The London Abused Women’s Centre’s executive director, Jennifer Dunn, commended the OPP for their transparency in classifying the Central Elgin case as a murder-suicide, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing gender-based violence.
Dunn highlighted that Wiebe’s death is an example of femicide, shedding light on the severity of men’s violence against women. By bringing attention to cases like these, awareness is raised on the critical issue, aiming to shift blame and provide closure to the victims’ families.
The public acknowledgment of Wiebe’s case as femicide serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address and prevent gender-based violence in the community. Through discussions and awareness campaigns, organizations like the London Abused Women’s Centre strive to combat violence against women and advocate for change.