A Canadian war veteran was responsible for the homicide of his pregnant wife who was stabbed several times before being thrown off the balcony of a downtown apartment building Sunday evening, Toronto police say.



Police believe Precious Charbonneau was nine weeks pregnant.

Robert Giblin, 43, and Charbonneau, 33, died after falling from the 21st floor of a building at 111 Raglan Ave. Giblin had served with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, Department of National Defence officials have confirmed.

In a statement, the DND said Giblin was a sergeant and served with the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) based out of Denison Armoury in Toronto.

The federal department said Giblin joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997. He deployed on HMCS Regina in 2003 and to Afghanistan in 2005 and 2007, and was an intelligence operator.

"The loss of any soldier is devastating to the military community and our thoughts and condolences go out to Sgt. Robert Giblin's family and friends," read the statement.

Rishard Mohammed, who lives across the hall from the apartment where Giblin and his wife lived, told CBC News the incident "sent chills" down his spine.

'Kept to themselves'

"I thought they were nice, sometimes we shared a few jokes," Mohammed said. "But they kept to themselves."

Bonnie Hunter, another resident, told CBC News she thought she heard people yelling at each other "and then, nothing. I had a friend come over, and that's when I found out what happened."

"Obviously, it's horrible," Hunter said. "It's very disturbing when it happens in your backyard."

Some who knew Giblin and Charbonneau expressed their condolences online on Monday. "Rob my Brother. We were just chatting when you down in Halifax. Joking how us two old dogs were finally getting promoted. You kept me sane on our 6As and the SDIAC," one man wrote on Giblin's Facebook page. "Thanks for all the good times Bro. I'm devastated."

Another posted "RIP old friend" on the same page. On Charbonneau's Facebook page was a similar message.

"Rest in Peace Presha," one person wrote.

Police have sealed the couple's apartment, and an officer was standing guard outside Monday morning.

Autopsies are being performed today.