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OTTAWA, Ont. — The residents of Ottawa’s west end are waking up to a grim reality this weekend as police investigate the city’s second homicide of 2026. Andrew Dawson-Swann, a 37-year-old man, has been identified as the victim of a fatal stabbing that occurred in the early hours of Friday morning.

The incident, which took place in the Carlington neighborhood (initially reported as Carrington), has resulted in the swift arrest of two individuals. Sabrina Danis-Charlebois, 32, and Cody Maltby, 30, have both been charged with second-degree murder.

As police tape cordons off the scene at a multi-unit residential building on Shillington Avenue, the community is left grappling with rising violence. This tragedy marks the second killing in the capital this year and comes just days after another violent stabbing occurred less than a kilometer away, raising serious concerns about safety in the area.

Breaking: Midnight Violence on Shillington Avenue

The chain of events leading to the death of Andrew Dawson-Swann began shortly after midnight on Friday, February 6, 2026. Ottawa Police Service (OPS) officers were dispatched to a 30-unit apartment building located in the 1200 block of Shillington Avenue, near the intersection with Hollington Street.

The Scene: At approximately 12:30 a.m., first responders arrived to a chaotic scene. Inside the building, they discovered a 37-year-old male suffering from life-threatening stab wounds. Paramedics with the Ottawa Paramedic Service worked frantically to stabilize the victim. “Paramedics transported Dawson-Swann to a local hospital in critical condition,” the report confirms. Despite the best efforts of the trauma team at the Ottawa Civic Hospital—located just a short distance away—the injuries proved too severe. Andrew Dawson-Swann succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased in the hospital.

The Arrests: Unlike many homicide investigations that begin with a manhunt, police were able to secure the scene and identify suspects quickly. Sabrina Danis-Charlebois and Cody Maltby were taken into custody. By Friday afternoon, the Ottawa Police Homicide Unit had formally charged both with second-degree murder. They appeared in court later that day and remain in custody pending their next appearance.

The Neighborhood: Carlington on Edge

The location of the murder—Shillington Avenue—is well-known to local law enforcement. Carlington is a working-class neighborhood that has struggled with pockets of crime, and this incident has heightened anxiety among residents. “This marks the second homicide in Ottawa in 2026,” authorities noted.

A Pattern of Violence? Investigative sources highlighted a disturbing proximity to another recent crime. “The investigation is taking place approximately one kilometer from the scene of another stabbing that occurred last week on Mayview Avenue.” While police have not explicitly linked the two events—the Mayview incident and the Shillington murder—the geographic closeness has residents on edge. Two violent stabbings within a week in the same square kilometer suggests a volatile atmosphere in the community.

  • Community Impact: Residents of the 30-unit building on Shillington were awoken by police lights and sirens. For many families living in the dense residential blocks near the Experimental Farm, the violence is happening too close to home.

The Victim: Andrew Dawson-Swann, 37

Andrew Dawson-Swann was 37 years old. While police reports focus on the mechanics of his death, his loss leaves a void in the lives of those who knew him. At 37, Andrew was in the middle of his life.

  • A Life Cut Short: Friends and family are now forced to navigate the sudden and violent theft of a loved one. There was no illness to prepare for, no goodbye to be said.

  • The Investigation: As the victim of a homicide, Andrew’s body will undergo an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death and provide critical evidence for the prosecution of Charlebois and Maltby.

The Charges: Second-Degree Murder

The charges laid against Sabrina Danis-Charlebois and Cody Maltby are serious. Second-Degree Murder in Canada implies an intentional killing that was not premeditated (which would be first-degree) or a killing that occurred during the commission of another crime.

  • Sentencing: If convicted, both suspects face a mandatory life sentence with a parole ineligibility period set by the judge, ranging from 10 to 25 years.

  • Court Proceedings: As the case moves through the court system, prosecutors will likely reveal more details about the relationship between the victim and the accused. Was this a domestic dispute? A robbery gone wrong? Or a disagreement that spiraled out of control?

Police Appeal for Information

The investigation is far from over. Detectives from the Ottawa Police Homicide Unit are currently canvassing the Shillington Avenue area. They are looking for:

  • Video Surveillance: Doorbell cameras or CCTV from nearby businesses that may have captured the suspects entering or leaving the building.

  • Witnesses: Anyone who heard shouting or fighting in the building around 12:30 a.m.

  • Background: Information regarding the relationship between Andrew Dawson-Swann and the two accused individuals.

Contact Information: “Ottawa police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dawson-Swann’s death and are asking anyone with information to come forward.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit at 613-236-1222. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Conclusion

As the weekend begins, a family in Ottawa is planning a funeral instead of a gathering. Andrew Dawson-Swann is the latest name added to the city’s list of homicide victims in 2026. The swift arrests of Sabrina Danis-Charlebois and Cody Maltby provide some measure of immediate justice, but they cannot undo the violence that played out on Shillington Avenue.

For the residents of Carlington, the sirens may have faded, but the fear remains. Two stabbings in two weeks is a pattern that demands attention, community support, and vigilance.

Rest in Peace, Andrew Dawson-Swann.


Summary of Key Facts:

  • Victim: Andrew Dawson-Swann, 37.

  • Date: Friday, February 6, 2026.

  • Time: Approx. 12:30 a.m.

  • Location: 1200 Block Shillington Avenue, Carlington, Ottawa.

  • Incident: Fatal Stabbing (Homicide #2 of 2026).

  • Accused: Sabrina Danis-Charlebois (32) and Cody Maltby (30).

  • Charges: Second-Degree Murder.

  • Context: Nearby stabbing on Mayview Ave occurred one week prior.

  • Status: Suspects in custody; Victim deceased at hospital.

We will continue to update this story as court documents are released and more information becomes available regarding the motive.


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