Youth charged with 1st-degree murder in death of Winnipeg woman Lise Danais

Winnipeg police have charged ayouth with first-degree murder in the death of a woman who was assaulted in her south Winnipeg home earlier this year.

The youth was charged on Tuesday, Const. Rob Carver said Wednesday, but he would provide no other details because of laws thatprotect the identity of young offenders.

"We're very constrained by what we can say," he said.

Lise Danais, 51, died after being found with severe injuries in her house on Rockcliffe Road, near the Royal Canadian Mint, on March 26.

Officers were called to herhomearound10:45 a.m. that dayandfound her in critical condition. Shewas rushed to hospital but died shortly afterward.

Asked if Danais and the youth were known to one another, Carver would only say"they were not strangers."

Carver would not say how the woman was killed, or what may have led to the assault.

"I can only tell you that the requirements for a charge offirst-degree murder are fairly significant and detailed in the Criminal Code. There would have to be a level of premeditation that would support that charge," he said.

Shortly after she was killed, neighbours described Danais as a friendly and positive person. People in the area were shocked by her death.

"I know the public, in this case, has been waiting not so patiently for us to be able to come forward with some resolution," said Carver. "I know investigators feel a sense of relief that we were able to do that today."

Policecould not say how old the youth was or where the arrest was made.

Danais's death was the 11th homicide of 2019 in Winnipeg. There have now been 25 homicides in the city so far this year.