Kevin Klassen charged with killing Christina Stoyko on Redwood in Winnipeg

KevinKlassen, 37, has been charged with the second-degree murder of ChristinaStoyko, 39, who was found dead in a home on Redwood Avenue in Winnipeg's North End on Saturday.

Klassenis also charged with disobeying a court order and failing to comply with a protection order that banned him from possessing a weapon.

Police found Stoyko dead in the home on Redwood between Andrews and McGregor Streets on Saturday morning.

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The pair hadbeen dating, her stepfather from Thompson, Maurice Bensonsaid, but court records showStoykofiled a protection order againstKlassenjust before Christmas in December 2015.

Following a series of domestic violence cases that turned fatal last fall, then-justice minister Gord Mackintosh said the province would strengthen legislation and make it easier for victims to obtain protection orders.

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An amendment to Manitoba's protection order legislation was voted through March 16, and the changes came into effect May 15, 2016, a spokesperson with the province said.

Stoyko's dad 'didn't really like'Klassen

Benson said he wasn't comfortable with his daughter'srelationship withKlassen, although he only met him a few times.

"It seemed OK, but I didn't really feel comfortable with him, because he'd already done time in jail," he said. "I didn't like him really."

Klassenpleaded guilty to assault in 2013, but it isn't clear at this point who the victim was.

Bensonsaid he could not have asked for a better daughter.

"She was a very outgoing person. Never known anyone to hate her. She was happy-go-lucky. She was just fantastic," he said.

JosephTherrien, who lives across the street from the home whereStoykowas found,told CBC News on the weekend that he heard people arguing before police arrived.

"I was downstairs watching TV.I can hear a bunch of yelling and then that was it, and then it went quiet," he said.

"Next thing you know, I hear a bunch of sirens. I'm thinking, 'They're going to [drive past], of course.' But it just abruptly stops here."