An 80-year-old woman has died after a downtown Guelph assault, leading police to upgrade charges against a 34-year-old man to second-degree murder.
The Accused and the Charges
A 34-year-old Guelph man is now facing a second-degree murder charge after police say an 80-year-old woman died from injuries sustained in a violent downtown attack.
The Incident on Wyndham Street
Emergency crews were called around 9:40 a.m. on August 31 to Wyndham Street North near Macdonell Street. The woman was found unconscious on the sidewalk with life-threatening injuries and rushed to hospital.
How the Case Developed
Police initially charged the man with attempted murder and aggravated assault. After the victim died three days later, investigators upgraded the charge to second-degree murder on Wednesday.
Evidence and Witness Accounts
Investigators said no weapon was used in the attack. Instead, the woman had been “severely beaten.” Police spokesperson Scott Tracey confirmed that witnesses and surveillance video from the area helped identify the suspect and supported the upgraded charge.
Connection Between Victim and Suspect
Police believe the man and woman had encountered each other before, though they were not close acquaintances. Authorities have not released the woman’s name to protect the family’s privacy.
Court Proceedings
The accused appeared in court Wednesday to face the new charge. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to gather additional evidence.
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