Audrey van Zuiden's family blames slaying on 'hideous illness,' not husband with suspected dementia

Siblings of a Calgary senior found dead last month say a "hideous illness"and not her accused husband of 56 yearsis to blame for her death.

Audrey van Zuiden, who was 80, was found on Oct. 4 in the home she shared with Fred van Zuiden, who is charged with second-degree murder.

Loved ones say the husband has long suffered from dementia, and a psychiatrist told a courtroom last month he agrees that's likely to be the case.

The woman's brother, Victor Brent, and sister, Josephine Tucker, issued a written statement as friends and family held a celebration of life for her in Calgary.

They say they bear no ill feelings toward Fred van Zuiden and accept that what happened was a tragic accident.

The accused is undergoing psychiatric testing and is next due in court on Dec. 2.

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