Sask. gov’t considers review of domestic violence deaths

A Saskatchewan man whose children were killed by their mother in a murder-suicide says he didn’t see the tragedy coming.

Mike Bryant says police told him his seven-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son were killed by his former wife, Tammy Fiddler, at their North Battleford home last month.

He says he and his ex-wife were on civil terms and he never saw any signs that anything was wrong.

Experts say there are often similar warning signs, and child homicides and deaths during domestic violence should be reviewed to help prevent them.

According to Jo-Anne Dusel of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services, women and children are most at risk.

“Of experiencing harm and death from an intimate partner or family member.”

Dusel sat on a review panel three years ago and says it’s time to take another look at the warning signs in recent deaths.

The Ministry of Justice is considering whether to resume reviewing such deaths.

Drew Wilby, an assistant deputy minister said the department hopes to have a decision within the next year.

According to the Saskatchewan Coroner, 32 people have been killed in domestic violence since the last review.