Update: Philippe Hebert pleaded guilty to manslaughter after attempting a failed suicide pact with his husband – Philippe Herbert charged with the murder of 87-year-old Richard Rutherford in Ottawa

The 2022 Ottawa Homicide Victim List is available here

Ottawa police were called to the 800 block of Smyth Rd. at about 3:00 pm on April 15th where they located a deceased male.

The victim was later identified as 87-year-old Richard Rutherford of Ottawa. The cause of death has not been released.

Richard Rutherford was with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet for twenty years, starting in the corps de ballet in 1957

On Saturday, April 16th, Ottawa police announced that Philippe HEBERT, 69, of Ottawa has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Investigators have not said if the victim and accused were known to eachother.

Update: On September 8th, Philippe Hebert pleaded guilty to manslaughter after attempting a failed suicide pact with his husband. Hébert, admitted in court to ending the life of his partner, 87-year-old Richard Rutherford, whose health was in decline. Rutherford was found dead in their Smyth Road home on April 15, 2022. According to CBC, court documents, Hébert told 911 that Rutherford had asked him to help end his life. Hébert followed through but was unable to complete the pact by taking his own life.