Benedict Bernabe Tomajin, 24, of Burnaby was charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree murder after the fatal stabbing of his 45-yearold mother, Josie Tomajin, on Monday.
The incident rocked the quiet residential neighbourhood.
Neo Wu, who lives a couple doors down from the victim's home, told The Province about what she saw on Monday night.
"It's very horrible," she said. "The woman was on the ground bleeding. There was blood everywhere. People are very upset about seeing this."
The incident occurred in the 6700 block of Elwell Street just before 6: 30 p.m. on Monday.
Josie Tomajin, who lived in the 6800 block of Elwell Street, died at the hospital several hours later. Police investigators cordoned off the area and, after talking to several witnesses, arrested the woman's 24-year-old son, Benedict Bernabe Tomajin.
Tomajin has been remanded in custody after appearing in Vancouver Provincial Court on Wednesday. His next court appearance is set for Aug. 17.
"This homicide appears to be the direct result of a domestic
dispute which sadly was witnessed by many in the neighbourhood," said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Peter Thiessen.
"This is an example of how volatile domestic disputes can be and the impact it can have on all those involved. This has impacted and changed a family forever and affected a neighbourhood."
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the investigation and is working with the Burnaby RCMP's serious crime section and the Lower Mainland district integrated forensic identification section and integrated police dog service.
