Montreal man charged with 1st degree murder in fatal stabbing of 24-year-old woman

A 36-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder chargeafter a woman was stabbed to death in the Milton Park neighbourhood Tuesday afternoon. Franois Pelletierappearedatthe Montreal courthousethis afternoon.

The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Romane Bonnier, a singer and actor who graduated fromMarianopolisCollege four years ago.

Montreal police (SPVM) said an altercationbetween Pelletier and Bonnieroccurredaround 4:30 p.m.on Aylmer Streetnear Milton Street in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.The man then stabbed the womanseveral times in the upper body.

Shewas rushed to hospital in critical condition where she was declared dead soon after arrival.

Pelletierwas arrested at the scene. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance scheduled forNov. 25.

Vronique Dubuc, spokesperson for the SPVM, said that, despite the investigation being at thepreliminary stage, elementsindicatethat the homicide appears to be a case ofconjugal violence.

Dubuc saidpolice would only specify that the victim and suspectwere former roommates.

When reached for comment, Bonnier's alma mater said: "This is indeed very sad news. Ms. Bonnier graduated from the College in 2017. Support measures will be offered to our community."

Frdrique Mazerolle, a spokesperson for McGill University, which is nearthescene of the stabbing, saidshe could not confirm whether the suspect and the victim were connected to the university because the investigation is ongoing.

This death marksthe 26th homicide on the SPVM's territory this year. If it is related to domestic violence, it would be the 17th time this year that a woman was killed by an intimate partner.