Pictou County man charged with murder after 88-year-old dies from alleged axe assault

An 88-year-old woman is dead following an alleged axe assault in Pictou County on Monday morning.

Nova Scotia RCMP said in a release Tuesday they've charged 61-year-old John Douglas Cressof Thorburn, N.S., with second-degree murder.

"It was just before 9 a.m. [Monday] morning we received a report of a person being armed with an axe and running into the woods," saidCpl. Chris Marshall.

"A few minutes later, we got a call from a person having been injured, and described theirinjuries as serious."

After locating the woman,police said she was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The manallegedly fled into the woods, prompting police to issue an emergency alertfor residents ofPictou, Antigonish and Colchestercounties. The alert was cancelled following his arrest later Monday morning.

He was found behind Greenwood Street, suffering serious injuries. Police said Tuesday he remains in the hospital and is in stable condition.

On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, RCMPpreviously said the victim is known to the suspect.