N.S. woman killed in alleged act of intimate partner violence loved 2 daughters most, sister says

Anjuli Patil · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 21, 2025 3:48 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

The household of a 32-year-old Nova Scotia pistillate who constabulary say was killed successful an alleged enactment of intimate spouse unit accidental she was a devoted ma who worked hard to amended her children's lives.

"Maggie was not lone my sister, she was besides a daughter, a friend, and successful her astir important role, a mother," Faye Dawson, Maggie Lynn Cameron's sister, told CBC News successful a statement. 

"Her beingness was a agleam airy for our full household — her laughter was prominently heard wherever she was, and her beaming smile, creation moves and songs ever accompanied. Maggie loved her life, and astir of each she loved her 2 daughters."

Dawson said Cameron went backmost to schoolhouse for concern medication truthful her children could person a amended life. After finishing her schooling, however, Cameron began having wellness problems and was yet diagnosed with aggregate sclerosis.

"But Maggie refused to fto the unwellness specify her. She took power of her health, transforming her manner and making meaningful improvements — not conscionable for herself, but for her daughters arsenic well," Dawson said.

"Despite Maggie's resilience and determination, her beingness was stolen from america acold excessively soon. Now, her daughters indispensable navigate the satellite without their beloved mother. My parent faces the unimaginable grief of losing her youngest child. And I, I volition ne'er person different time with my babe sister. Though her tone volition ever beryllium with us, the nonaccomplishment of our Maggie Muggins is felt profoundly by truthful many."

31-year-old antheral charged

Cameron was killed connected Sept. 17, 2023. This week, Nova Scotia RCMP announced they arrested and charged a man with first-degree execution connected March 17 successful transportation with her death. Richard Craig Barrett, 31, appeared successful Truro provincial tribunal connected March 18 and volition be in custody pending aboriginal tribunal appearances. The lawsuit returns to tribunal connected April 2.

Dawson said her sister was "trapped successful a toxic relationship."

"She was dilatory isolated from her household and friends — until, successful the end, she was taken from us," Dawson said.

Dawson is encouraging those experiencing intimate spouse unit to question help.

"If you person idiosyncratic successful your beingness who you cognize isn't harmless with their partner, oregon you yourself are experiencing intimate spouse violence, I implore you — please bash not springiness up and bash not enactment silent," Dawson said.

"Maggie did not get retired successful time, but determination is anticipation for you. You are not alone. There is help. There is hope. Be brave. Speak up. Say something."

Dawson concluded her connection thanking the RCMP's large transgression unit "for their tireless effort successful bringing the charges for her death."

Epidemic of intimate spouse violence

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

Since then, determination person been 7 women killed successful Nova Scotia whose deaths are connected to their antheral partners: 

• On March 2, Patricia Tanner, 83, was recovered dead in a Bridgewater home. Her hubby has been charged with first-degree murder.
• On Jan. 11, Paiyton Pick, 22, was recovered dead in a Centreville home. Her fellow 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.