HOWIE CENTRE — A 73-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a 71-year-old woman in Howie Centre will be facing a first-degree murder charge, the Cape Breton Regional Police Service confirmed Sunday.
Gregory James Dilney is set to appear in Sydney provincial court today after being taken into custody Friday morning.
Insp. Paul Muise confirmed the details of the charge, but “out of respect for the family, we can’t say anything more about the case,” he said.
In a news release issued Saturday, officers responded at about 8 a.m. Friday to what they described as a domestic incident at 2278 Kings Rd., a single-storey dwelling along Highway 4 across from Curry Street.
Isolated incident
According to province's land registry, the property is registered to Gregory and Brenda Dilney. Both occupants were found inside the home, police said.
Police spokeswoman Desiree Magnus said that paramedics were on scene to treat Brenda Dilney, who was pronounced dead not long after their arrival.
Police said they are treating the homicide investigation as an isolated incident. Magnus said there is no threat to public safety.
"investigators are currently working with officers in the forensic identification unit and medical examiner's office to determine the cause” of Brenda Dilney’s death, he said.
Gregory Dilney has been remanded to the Cape Breton Correctional Centre until his court appearance. Muise couldn’t confirm whether that appearance will be in person or via video conference.
-- With files from Sharon Montgomery and Nicole Sullivan
