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4th Top Story of 2020: Police charge man for murder in death of a Canadian P&C insurance executive


October 9, 2020   by David Gambrill


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Peel Regional Police are investigating a domestic homicide near Toronto, after finding a woman who is believed to be a Canadian senior insurance executive pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say they received a call for a disturbance in the area of Galbraith Drive and Barwell Road in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at 6:25 a.m. Police attended the residence and located a woman inside with apparent signs of trauma. The woman in her fifties was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police did not release the name of the victim, but Toronto media, citing a next door neighbour as their source, have identified the victim as Belynda Kerelchuk. She is listed on LinkedIn as a senior vice president at Aon Reinsurance Solutions. The LinkedIn profile indicates she has been Aon’s vice president for more than 20 years.

Canadian Underwriter was not able to confirm with Aon before press deadline that Kerelchuk was working for the company at the time of the tragedy.

In a press release posted online Tuesday, police say they “located the victim’s husband, Stephen Kerelchuk, a 53-year-old man from Mississauga at the scene. He was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.”

According to police, Stephen Kerelchuk was held for a bail hearing and was scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in the City of Brampton on Oct. 6, 2020.

Canadian Underwriter interviewed Belynda Kerelchuk in 2008 about the demographic make-up of women in senior levels of the P&C insurance industry. She was a strong advocate for the rise of women within the senior ranks of the industry.

In the 2008 interview, Kerelchuk noted that when she started her career more than 20 years ago, the majority of women working in the business held clerical positions. “But there were some in senior positions, and that was probably one of the reasons why I stayed,” she said.

Media cited a next door neighbour of the Kerelchuks, Mauro Di Domenico, as saying the couple were both working from home during the pandemic.

Di Domenico described the death of Belynda Kerelchuk to be “very shocking, very disturbing.”

 

Feature image by iStock.com/D-Keine


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5 Comments » for 4th Top Story of 2020: Police charge man for murder in death of a Canadian P&C insurance executive
  1. jenn says:

    Belynda was my Aunt, her husband being my uncle from my dad’s side of the family. Such a terrible tragedy. So many life’s now effected by this. I grew up knowing Stephen and he was always very kind. He married belynda and they had two children who will never forget this. Stephen also has 2 kids from previous marriage, they too effected. No words spoken can change what happened but I think we need to look at this is going to be something Stephen, my uncle will now never forget or take back. He truly loved his family and something major accured to make him do this tragic thing. Mental health issues run in our family and I believe we need to take this in as a possibility for his actions. Rest in peace aunt belynda and even though I didn’t know you well, I will not forget you.

    • J Thomas says:

      Very well said Jenn , it is such a tragedy for all family members on both sides . I was friends with Steve when growing up and clearly have the same memories of him . I know he loved his family and he always presented as a loving friendly person . My thought are with all the family and friends affected by this tragedy .
      And if anyone is in contact with Steve if they could share with him that I’m inquiring about him .
      Thank you Janet Thomas

    • Daniel says:

      Condolences to you and the family, Jenn.

  2. Nina says:

    So sorry for your loss ,such a tragedy

  3. Kelly says:

    I also knew Steve while we were in cadets together and also went to the same high school. He was always smiling and was just a really nice guy.

    Yes if any one is in touch with him please let him know i am also inquiring about him.

    My condolences to all family members affected by this tragedy

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