A son allegedly murdered his mother and wounded his mother’s long-time partner in a “shocking” weekend tragedy on Monck Road.
Orillia OPP Const. Ted Dongelmans confirmed today that 30-year-old Michael Lahay, who has been charged with first-degree murder, is the son of victim Wendy Lahay, 47.
The woman’s long-time partner, Paul Alexander, 73, was also injured in the violent Saturday night incident in Ramara Township. Dongelmans said Alexander is in stable condition at Orillia’s Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). Michael Lahay faces a charge of attempted murder in relation to that.
Dongelmans said he could not confirm social media reports that the attack was a stabbing. He could also not shed any light on a potential motive for the heinous crime.
“Even though we made a quick arrest, the investigation is incredibly detailed and thorough,” said Dongelmans. “We are still in the early stages of an ongoing investigation.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Orillia OPP Crime Unit, with the assistance of OPP Forensic Identification Services, under the direction of the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch.
The long-time Orillia officer said the homicide, in a rural, sparsely populated area of Ramara - on Monck Road between Highway 169 and Kirkfield Road - inside a family home is ‘shocking.’
“It’s definitely a shocking incident that, thankfully, we don’t encounter that often in our communities,” Dongelmans told OrilliaMatters.
He said the outpouring of grief and shock is evidence the violent attack has had “quite an effect on our communities” and on those impacted by the incident.
The Orillia OPP, Rama First Nation Police Service and Simcoe County Paramedic Services responded to a 911 call at 11:32 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Upon arrival, officers located the two victims inside the home.
Wendy Lahay was pronounced deceased at the scene. Paul Alexander was transported to OSMH with non-life-threatening injuries. He is in stable condition.
The OPP is asking anyone with information to contact us at 1-888-310-1122. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
