Timeline of a tragedy Parents killed, hospital employee attacked within hours last Wednesday By: Dean Pritchard Posted: 12:10 PM CDT Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 Last Modified: 6:11 PM CDT Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 Updates

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This article was published 31/10/2021 (1150 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The discovery of Judith Swain’s body on her New Bothwell farm last Wednesday set police on an immediate search for her son, Trevor Farley.

That search led police to the discovery of a second victim — Farley’s father — a 45-minute drive away in Winnipeg’s West End.

On Monday, the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP confirmed details about the double homicide and announced Farley, a registered nurse, had been charged with murder in the deaths of Swain and Stuart Farley, both 73.

Farley, 37, has also been charged with attempted murder for a shocking knife attack in the main entrance of Seven Oaks General Hospital.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Rob Carver and RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre laid out a timeline for the three attacks, which investigators quickly determined were connected.

“We had a situation that unfolded in less than two hours,” Manaigre said. “It was dynamic and quick. A lot of work had to be done in that time frame.”

The trail of deadly violence began at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, when RCMP, responding to a call from a family acquaintance, were dispatched to check on Swain’s well-being on her farm in New Bothwell. Officers discovered her body, believing she was a homicide victim.

“Speaking with residents there, we determined a suspect,” Manaigre said. “Officers advised the Winnipeg Police Service of a description and a name.”

Police in Winnipeg got word the suspect was in the area of Seven Oaks and units were being dispatched to the area at the same time nursing supervisor Candyce Szkwarek was being attacked inside the hospital, at McPhillips Street and Leila Avenue.

“The assault has just taken place and the suspect is being held by people within the hospital as we walk in the door,” Carver said. “He is taken into custody by our guys immediately as they walk in.”

“We had a situation that unfolded in less than two hours. It was dynamic and quick. A lot of work had to be done in that time frame.”
– RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre

Szkwarek, who was stabbed multiple times before a doctor at the hospital intervened and knocked a suspect off her, remains in hospital.

“The injuries were horrifically severe,” Carver said. “I know that while she went (to hospital) absolutely critical, she has been stabilized and will be in the hospital for quite some time. She’s not out of the woods, that is my understanding.”

Around that same time, RCMP officers travelled to Winnipeg to inform Stuart Farley — Swain’s former husband and next of kin — and discovered his body inside his Toronto Street home.

Investigators believe Trevor Farley killed his father first, then his mother, before proceeding to Seven Oaks.

Police would not confirm how either homicide victim was killed, only that no firearms were used and that they died as the result of a violent assault.

Manaigre said police found evidence Swain’s killing was premeditated, supporting a charge of first-degree murder.

“In consultation with the Crown attorney’s office, that criteria was met based on evidence at the scene,” Manaigre said.

“The injuries were horrifically severe. I know that while she went (to hospital) absolutely critical, she has been stabilized and will be in the hospital for quite some time. She’s not out of the woods.”
– Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Rob Carver

Evidence at the Toronto Street homicide scene supported a charge of second-degree murder, not first degree, Carver said, noting the difference between the two charges in this case have to do with the “deliberate actions” of the accused.

“The charges are really predicated on the actions of the individual preceding the event,” he said.

Police said they could not confirm suggestions that Trevor Farley tried to access psychiatric help prior to the killings, citing personal health information. Prior to charges being laid, police said Farley was undergoing a medical assessment. He was arrested Wednesday but wasn’t officially taken into police custody until Friday. He was charged Saturday.

While police would not confirm whether the medical assessment included treatment for physical injuries or a psychiatric evaluation, Carver noted police typically notify media if a suspect is being treated for injuries, which was not done in this case.

“So, you can deduce from that what you like,” he said.

Police didn’t talk about a motive for the crimes, saying investigators are still piecing together the details.

“I’m not sure that is something we are going to provide, unless it can further the investigation,” Manaigre said. “It’s probably one of the bigger pieces of the puzzle. That is something we definitely want to find out.”

Farley remains in custody. His next court date is Nov. 2.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca