Halifax police say New Year’s Eve homicide victims were father, daughter

Halifax Regional Police have confirmed a tragic incident of intimate partner violence resulting in the deaths of a father and daughter on New Year’s Eve. The victims, identified as Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her father Bradford Downey, 73, were fatally shot in a car on Gottingen Street. Another man found in the car with gunshot wounds later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has ruled both deaths as homicides.

Subsequent to the initial incident, police received information that a man connected to the victims, identified as 39-year-old Matthew Costain, was found deceased from a gunshot wound near the Halifax Common. It has been revealed that Costain was in a relationship with Cora-Lee Smith. The authorities have recovered a firearm at the scene and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Costain’s death in conjunction with the medical examiner service.

This tragic event marks the fourth instance of intimate partner violence resulting in the death of a woman within the past few months in Nova Scotia. The province has been grappling with the issue, prompting politicians to declare intimate partner violence as an epidemic. In response, legislation has been passed to address recommendations from the commission of inquiry that probed the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, shedding light on the prevalence of domestic violence in the region.

The Nova Scotia NDP has been at the forefront of efforts to address intimate partner violence, citing statistics that indicate high rates of physical and sexual assault within relationships in the province. With over 30% of women and 22.5% of men reporting incidents of violence by their partners, the need for intervention and support services is evident.

For individuals impacted by family or intimate partner violence, crisis lines and local support services are available to provide assistance. If in immediate danger, it is crucial to contact emergency services by dialing 911. The community must come together to address the root causes of violence and ensure that victims receive the support they need to break the cycle of abuse.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence and underscores the importance of raising awareness and implementing measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this senseless act of violence.