Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, was killed in a suspected femicide in Ottawa's west end, causing tremendous sadness. The terrible incident occurred on Sunday evening in a quiet, rural community off Lady Slipper Way, just north of Highway 7.
At roughly 6:40 p.m., authorities were notified to the incident, and when they arrived, they discovered Zabarylo deceased on the spot. The victim has since been identified as a civilian employee and a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Navy Headquarters crew. The Department of National Defense acknowledged its shock and grief, saying, "We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of her tragic death, and we are offering our support to her family and colleagues." We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her loved ones during this difficult time 😔
Jennifer Zabarylo also had a long tenure at Public Services and Procurement Canada, where she worked for 18 years between 2000 and 2018. In a statement, the department stated, "We are deeply saddened to hear of Jennifer's tragic passing, who was a valued employee at PSPC for 18 years." We extend our sincere sympathies to her family, as well as her present and previous colleagues."
The defendant, Michael Zabarylo, 55, who is thought to be her husband, has been charged with second-degree murder. Neighbors reported a pleasant connection between the pair, adding to the shock of the unfortunate incident 😱
This is the first time the Ottawa Police Service has designated a homicide as a femicide, emphasizing the gravity and tragedy of the murder. The Ottawa Police said in a news release: "In the context of police investigations, we consider this death to be a femicide as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings." They went on to clarify that femicide is commonly described as "the killing of women and girls because of their gender," which is frequently motivated by traditional gender roles, discrimination, or unbalanced power dynamics between men and women.
According to an Ottawa EMS representative, Zabarylo died at the scene due to "traumatic" injuries 💔.
The Zabarylo family, formerly seen as a nice and close-knit bunch by their neighbors, is now experiencing unthinkable anguish and loss. "It's very, very sad," remarked neighbor Mary Lovas. "We were quite kind to them. Every time we passed by, the kids would wave and speak, and the husband had come over to our house. He brought his small puppy, and they played in the backyard.
Another neighbor, Gord Templeton, was astounded, stating, "It was shocking." The area is very calm, and then to live in the country like this startled me." His wife, Margit Templeton, said, "You don't anticipate it. Most of the residents are families, retirees, or workers.
Michael Zabarylo will appear in court on Monday as the community continues to deal with the tragic occurrence that has rattled their feeling of safety and confidence 😔.