Council Requests Inquiry into Deaths

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women will ask the Nova Scotia attorney general to order an inquiry into an apparent murder-suicide that occurred recently in Truro.

Lori Lee Maxwell and Bruce Allan George were found dead at their home on Feb. 28. Three children, age six, eight and 14, also lived in the house but were not home at the time.

"It has become apparent that this couple was known by those in the community to have a history of violence," said Patricia Doyle-Bedwell, chair of the advisory council. "We want to know why the system did not protect Ms. Maxwell from her husband, and why there was no immediate action taken when she applied for a peace bond against him three days before her death."

The advisory council is calling for clarity on the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. For example, the council wants answers relating to the adequacy of training for police and those in the justice and child protection systems in dealing with issues of domestic violence.

In addition, the council would like to know why Mr. George was not prohibited from possessing firearms as a condition of his recent probation.

"An inquiry would allow us to examine information that will help lead to the prevention of other such unnecessary tragedies in the future," said Ms. Doyle-Bedwell.