Homicide victim's remains found in suitcase; suspect is spouse, also found dead

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says a suspicious death in St. John's is a homicide, and the suspect in the case is also dead.

Const. James Cadigan said Friday that a 33-year-old woman's remains were found in a suitcase in the area of Water Street, near Springdale Street.

"This is believed to be a targeted event," Cadigan said.

The suspect her 34-year-old spouse was found dead in his downtown home on Monday.

A day later, on Tuesday evening, a member of the public made the grisly discovery of a suitcase containing the woman's remains, and called police.

According to Cadigan, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner believes she died several days earlier.

WATCH | RNC Const. James Cadigan provides details about a death police now say is a homicide:

Suspicious downtown death was a homicide, say RNC

3 months ago

Duration 1:17

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on Friday said the death of a woman whose body was found in downtown St. Johns this week was a homicide. Const. James Cadigan provided more details to reporters Friday afternoon.

The victim and the suspect were Iranian, according to police. Police said the suspect had been in Newfoundland for educational purposes for a number of years, while the victim came to the province in mid-May.

The police say they aren't releasing the names of the deceased for privacy reasons. Next of kin have been notified.

Cadigan said the couple had noprevious involvement with police in the province.

The RNC is continuing work to put together a timeline of events and is appealing for information or video from the area bordered by LeMarchant Road, east along Water Street to McBride's Hill, and Springdale Street between July 10 and July 16.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.

Download ourfree CBC News appto sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.Click here to visit our landing page.