Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 32 minutes ago
Edmonton Woman, 23, Allegedly Strangled to Death by Partner: Police
Police say an autopsy found strangulation, and an online fundraiser has raised more than $16,000 to return her body to India.
On Wednesday, Edmonton Police Service arrested Ritish Kumar, 22, and charged him with second-degree murder in the death of Damanpreet Kaur, describing the case as an "intimate partner homicide."
Following an autopsy on July 14, 2026, The Edmonton Medical Examiner determined Kaur died by strangulation after being found unresponsive with life-threatening injuries on July 9 and passing away in hospital three days later.
Kaur, who moved to Canada from Punjab five years ago as a student, was the only child of her parents; a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised more than $18,000 of its $20,000 goal to return her body to India.
Cat Champagne of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters identified the death as femicide, stating, "It's just really important to us that we continue to say her name and validate her as a person."
Provisions under Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, came into force this month to recognize femicide, with Champagne noting that shelters provide essential intervention and prevention services for those facing violence.