Hamilton police believe a shooting that killed two people inside a south-end Hamilton townhouse over the weekend likely happened during a disagreement over a debt.

The bodies of Cheryl Nicholl, 32, and Donald Lowe, 62, were found inside their home late Saturday Nov. 2 after a tip to check on their well being.

Police allege they were shot sometime overnight Friday into early Saturday, while it was still dark, said Staff Sgt. Dave Oleniuk, of the major crime unit.

With the help of witnesses police quickly turned their attention to the alleged shooter, 33-year-old David Thomson.

Hours after police released a public appeal to find the “armed and dangerous” suspect, Thomson was found dead at a Days Inn in Brantford, around 11 p.m. on Sunday. Hamilton police had traced the suspect to the hotel.

Police assembled outside heard a gunshot from a room on the first floor and then found him dead, said the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

While Hamilton police investigate the double homicide, the SIU is investigating Thomson’s death. The agency is mandated to investigate incidents involving police in Ontario where someone is seriously hurt, killed or there is an allegation of sexual assault.

Police found drugs at the shooting scene, Oleniuk said. But it remains unclear what role drugs played.

Oleniuk did not specify details, but said detectives believe there may have been “a verbal dispute over a debt” before the shooting.

Thomson was the aggressor, he added.

A dark pickup truck with four slashed tires was also towed from the scene.

Yet some details about exactly what happened may never be known.

“The only three people who were in the home are dead,” Oleniuk said. “Some questions will remain unanswered.”

Police have finished their search of the townhouse, clearing the scene Monday night.

When police received a tip and made the grisly discovery Saturday night, Oleniuk said investigators believed Thomson may have been unaware police had found the bodies. Investigators had information Thomson was hiding at a residence in Hamilton.

“That’s why we avoided talking to the media because of the belief that there was a chance he didn’t know police had discovered the bodies yet,” Oleniuk said, explaining why police did not notify the public about the double homicide until Sunday afternoon.

But Thomson wasn’t at the Hamilton residence. Police then received information he was in Brantford.

Hamilton police cannot comment on details of what happened in Brantford because of the SIU investigation.

There are no other suspects in the homicide.

Condolence messages have been posted online for both victims and Thomson.

At the scene, neighbours remembered Lowe as a quiet and nice man. Nicholl was his girlfriend who was living with him.

Oleniuk said Nicholl had known Thomson for some time, describing them as “acquaintances.”

Thomson had a lengthy record with a history of violence.

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People posting on social media also wrote about him facing struggles.

Anyone with information on the homicide can call police at 905-546-3874.

The SIU is asking anyone with information on the Brantford death to call 1-800-787-8529.

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