N.S. man charged with murder in latest case of intimate partner violence

Blair Rhodes · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 19, 2025 12:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: 7 minutes ago

A Bible Hill, N.S., antheral has been charged with first-degree execution successful the 2023 decease of a pistillate that RCMP present accidental is simply a lawsuit of intimate spouse violence.

Richard Craig Barrett, 31, was charged Monday, according to an RCMP quality release.

Police responded to a study of a abrupt decease connected Sept. 17, 2023, successful a location on Wild Chance Drive successful Bible Hill. The unfortunate was a 32-year-old pistillate from the community.

Her decease was considered suspicious astatine the time. RCMP said Barrett was arrested that day, but aboriginal released without being charged.

Court documents identified the unfortunate arsenic Maggie Lynn Cameron. An online fundraiser for Cameron's family launched aft her decease says she was a parent of two.

"Maggie's top accomplishment was being a ma to her 2 saccharine girls," it reads. 

"Maggie volition beryllium terribly missed by everyone successful her life, she was beautiful, superb and ever the beingness of immoderate party."  

In the quality release, RCMP said they "appreciated the patience of the victim's loved ones arsenic investigators conducted a thorough introspection and valuation of the evidence, enabling america to enactment unneurotic a broad probe that supports this execution charge." 

Barrett remains successful custody portion the RCMP probe continues. The lawsuit returns to tribunal connected April 2.

Epidemic of intimate spouse violence

In September 2024, politicians successful the provincial legislature declared intimate spouse unit an epidemic in Nova Scotia.

Since then, 7 Nova Scotia women person been killed by their partners successful six months:  

• On March 2, Patricia Tanner, 83, was recovered dead in a Bridgewater home. Her husband, Andrew Dawson Tanner, has been charged with first-degree murder.
• On Jan. 11, Paiyton Pick, 22, was recovered dead in a location that was acceptable connected fire. Her boyfriend, Justin Joseph Benjamin, has been charged with second-degree execution and arson with disregard to quality life.
• On Jan. 5, Elaine Mosher, 60, was killed by her spouse astatine a location successful Mahone Bay. 
• On Dec. 31, Corelee (Alisha) Smith, 40, was killed alongside her father, Bradford (Coy) Downey, successful Halifax by her partner.
• On Nov. 7, a 71-year-old Cole Harbour woman was killed by her hubby successful their home. Police person not released her name.
• On Nov. 1, Nicole Murphy, 49, was killed by her spouse successful their Yarmouth home.
• On Oct. 18, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, 59, was killed by her husband, a retired RCMP officer, successful their Enfield home.

For anyone affected by household oregon intimate spouse violence, determination is enactment disposable done situation lines and section enactment services. ​​If you're successful contiguous information oregon fearfulness for your information oregon that of others astir you, delight telephone 911.

If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is struggling, here's wherever to get help:

• Nova Scotians can call 211 to link with assemblage resources.
• A database of transition houses across Nova Scotia.
• Family unit resources helpline 1-855-225-0220.
• The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website.
• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call oregon substance 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour situation centre.
• This usher from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines however to speech astir termination with idiosyncratic you're disquieted about.