A 23-year-old Indian woman from Punjab has died after allegedly being strangled at her residence in Edmonton, Canada, with local police charging her partner with second-degree murder. The victim, identified as Damanpreet Kaur, a native of Samrala in Punjab's Ludhiana district, sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident on July 9 and died in hospital three days later. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has described the case as an intimate partner homicide and confirmed that no additional suspects are being sought.
According to the Edmonton Police Service, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive woman with suspicious injuries at a residence in the Silverberry neighbourhood at approximately 6:44 pm local time on July 9. Upon arriving at the scene, police located the injured woman and took an adult male into custody shortly afterwards. Kaur was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where she remained under medical care before succumbing to her injuries on July 12.
An autopsy conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner's Office determined on July 14 that the manner of death was homicide. Authorities initially withheld the exact cause of death due to investigative reasons. On July 23, police confirmed that Kaur had died as a result of strangulation, providing further details as the investigation progressed.
Also Read: CM Bhagwant Mann's Photo To Be Printed On Punjab School Bags
Police said 22-year-old Ritish Kumar, identified as Kaur's partner, was arrested on July 22 and subsequently charged with second-degree murder. In a statement, the Edmonton Police Service said the investigation had determined the incident to be an intimate partner homicide. Investigators also confirmed that they are not searching for any other suspects in connection with the case, and legal proceedings against the accused are now expected to continue through the Canadian judicial system.
The incident has drawn attention both in Canada and India, particularly in Punjab, where Kaur's family resides. The case has renewed concerns about intimate partner violence and the challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse. Canadian authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident while supporting the legal process.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Kaur's family with the expenses of repatriating her body to India. The fundraising appeal states that the costs associated with international transportation, documentation and funeral arrangements have placed a significant financial burden on her family during an already difficult period. The campaign aims to help ensure that Kaur's final rites can be performed in her hometown in Punjab.
Also Read: Trump Says Venezuela Not Ready For Elections Amid Political Uncertainty