Winnipeg police charge Melissa Gabriel, 35, with manslaughter

Winnipeg police have laid charges in the stabbing death of an elderlywoman in St. Bonifaceover the weekend.

• Woman dead, police investigate possible St. Boniface homicide

Police were called to the 400 block of Tremblay Street at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

When they arrived, police said the caller appeared drunk. She was arrested, and due to the circumstances investigators did a sweep of the area.

Police found the body of an 89-year-old woman in herhome in the neighbourhood. Heridentity won't be released to the public until her family is notified.

Investigators said they believeMelissa Joyce Gabriel, 35, stabbed the woman multiple times in the upper body sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. After leaving thehome, police saidGabriel returned home and attacked herdog.

Gabrielhas been charged with manslaughter, killing or injuring an animal and two counts of probation violation.

Demanded to be let in

Investigators saidGabriel made the 911 call Sunday, but she's not the only one who called police.

HelenGregorchuklives in the neighbrouhoodand spoke with CBC News Sunday while investigators were on the scene.Gregorchuk said she awoke at about 1 a.m. Sunday to a woman banging on her door, demanding to be let into the house.

Gregorchukopened the window and asked the woman who she was. When she wouldn't answer, Gregorchukcalled police.

"I watched the cops come in," shesaid,adding police then walked thewoman, who they putin handcuffs, from the home and into the back of apolice cruiser.

Gabriel and the victim were acquaintances, police said.She remains in custody.