It’s been more than four days since a man and his pregnant wife were found slain inside a Bowmanville home, but the double murder remains shrouded in mystery.
Was a robbery gone bad? Did the husband’s past catch up with him? Or was it something else entirely?
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Durham Regional Police say officers made the grisly discovery while conducting a wellness check at the couple’s home
The couple was found “suffering from obvious signs of trauma” and homicide unit officers are handling the investigation, Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss said in a statement released Tuesday.
Durham Region’s third and fourth murder victims of the year have been identified as Aram Kamel, 28, who police say previously went by the name Aram Al-Kamisi, and his 26-year-old wife, Rafad Alzubaidy.
“Investigators advised that Rafad was pregnant at the time of the homicide,” Bortoluss said in Tuesday’s statement.
Yet on Wednesday, police still hadn’t released any further details of the victims, other than confirming they were shot to death, and they offered no suspect information.
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However, police maintained “at this time, this appears to be an isolated incident,” which typically suggests they have some idea who may be responsible. Police said “there is no risk to public safety,” which seems odd when no arrests have been made and there is a killer or killers roaming freely.
Shocked neighbourhood residents told reporters at the scene the couple was friendly and the woman was a few months pregnant.
Condolence messages began appearing Wednesday on Alzubaidy’s most recent Facebook post from two days before she was killed – photos of herself with a pink car and wearing pink shoes with the message, “You can never go wrong with a little pink, a lot works for me.”
“May you and your baby rest in peace,” one person wrote. “You were too good for this world.”
Another wrote: “So sad – three lives taken so tragically.”
Friends of Kamel also left messages of condolence on his last Facebook post – an updated profile photo from 11 months ago.
One of those friends, who was in disbelief over the news, told The Toronto Sun he has known Kamel for 10 years.
“Aram was a true friend and it’s heartbreaking hearing this news,” David Stany Hanna said. “I extend my deepest sympathies to the family (and) pray that God will comfort them.”
Kamel’s Facebook is filled with images of jewelry and gold for sale.
While police have not commented on a possible motive, Kamel’s family owns multiple jewelry stores and some who knew him wonder if the couple was killed in a robbery.
They are also questioning whether Kamel’s arrest under his former name in two 2020 armed jewelry store heists in York Region and Toronto – on charges that were withdrawn 11 months ago – along with two other men could be connected.
cdoucette@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @sundoucette
