The victim of a fatal Monday hammer attack at an east-end Sault Ste. Marie apartment building on Terry Fox Place has died of her injuries, as Sault Ste. Marie Police Service upgraded charges against 82-year-old Ronald Dales to first-degree murder. Friends remembered the deceased, who remains unnamed due to a publication ban, as a passionate animal lover and community volunteer during Thursday’s Take Back the Night march.
The Bottom Line
- The Incident: A Monday morning assault at an apartment building on Terry Fox Place left a victim with life-threatening injuries who has since died.
- The Legal Status: Ronald Dales, 82, faces a first-degree murder charge and appeared in bail court via phone, with his next court date scheduled for October 1 at 1:30 p.m.
- The Community Impact: Friends and local advocates mourned the victim at Thursday’s Take Back the Night march, remembering her as a compassionate animal lover and dedicated cat sitter.
Mourning a Community Member at Take Back the Night
During the speaking portion of Thursday’s Take Back the Night march, a close friend stepped forward to honor the victim of the Terry Fox Place attack. Because a publication ban under Section 486.5(1) remains in place to protect the identity of the deceased, neither the victim nor the speaker can be publicly named. The speaker told the gathered crowd that the attack followed another recent intimate partner violence incident in the community.
“As we all know, on Monday there was another intimate partner violence incident that occurred, and she was a good friend of mine,” the friend shared with attendees. “Did we know what was coming? No, we didn’t know what was coming. It was not totally out of the blue, but it was out of the blue.” Friends and neighbors are left grappling with the sudden loss, describing the local atmosphere as entirely grief-stricken.
Remembering a Dedicated Animal Lover
Beyond her presence in the neighborhood, the victim was widely known for her compassion and dedication to helping others. Described as an avid animal lover, she left a lasting impression on those who relied on her for pet care. Her friend fondly remembered her capabilities, calling her the “best darn cat sitter I ever had.”
“She spent a lot of time at my house with my cats and she helped a lot of people. The neighbourhood is totally grieving,” the friend told the crowd. The collective sorrow highlights the deep personal ties the victim maintained within Sault Ste. Marie before her tragic death.
Court Proceedings and Publication Bans
The legal process advanced following the victim’s death, with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service confirming the update in the investigation. Assistant Crown attorney Caden Munro spoke during Friday’s bail court proceedings, noting that the victim had succumbed to her injuries. The accused, 82-year-old Ronald Dales, was originally charged with attempted murder after emergency responders found a person crying for help with life-threatening injuries in the 0 to 100 block of Terry Fox Place at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday.
With the victim’s passing, the charges against Dales were upgraded to first-degree murder. Justice of the Peace Tara Christine Brutzki maintained the publication ban requested by the Crown to protect the anonymity of the deceased and safeguard any evidence shared during court proceedings. Dales, who is known to the victim, appeared via phone for his bail hearing, and his next court appearance is set for October 1 at 1:30 p.m. Authorities emphasize that none of the allegations have been tested in court, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
| Date / Time | Event / Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, ~8:30 a.m. | Police Response | Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrived at the 0 to 100 block of Terry Fox Place following an assault. |
| Thursday | Community Vigil | Friends remembered the victim during the Take Back the Night march speaking portion. |
| Friday | Bail Court Update | Assistant Crown attorney Caden Munro announced the victim’s death; charges upgraded to first-degree murder for Ronald Dales. |
| October 1, 1:30 p.m. | Scheduled Court Date | Next appearance for the 82-year-old accused in bail court. |
As the legal proceedings continue toward their next date in October, the community of Sault Ste. Marie continues to process the profound loss of a neighbor remembered for her kindness and dedication to animals.
