He was pronounced dead in hospital just after 1 a.m. Thursday but a large pool of dried blood on the front step of his home marked the spot where Marcel Chartrand's story ended.

Paramedics tried to save the 31-year old man by halting bleeding from stab wounds — police called it "a significant wound" — but his massive blood loss was all too evident to the naked eye from the sidewalk in front of the brick home at 526 King St. E., between Tisdale and Steven streets.

Hamilton Police forensic investigators and blood spatter analysts from London Police wore white disposable jump suits as they snapped photos and collected evidence inside the house and front doorway, trying to recreate a picture of what happened during Hamilton's 12th homicide this year.

But while detectives would not comment on the motive behind the stabbing, they are not looking for any killer.

Robert Vandyk, 33, was arrested at the house and charged with second-degree murder and is in custody.

Hamilton homicide detective Peter Thom said they have the weapon, a knife, but would not describe it, or say where it was found.

A "disturbance" between the two men started inside the house, Thom said, and ended outside where Chartrand's body was found on the porch.

Vandyk had been staying with Chartrand and his family — a woman police said was Chartrand's wife, and three children who were all under six years old. They were all in the house at the time; police say the children are now with relatives.

According to a lawyer who has represented him in the past, Chartrand battled personal demons for years but was working to overcome them. The lawyer, Vikram Singh, said Chartrand lost his mother at an early age and it had an impact on his mental health.

"The stories about his childhood are disturbing, but his partner had been a new beginning for him and she supported him during difficult times last year."

Two of Chartrand's neighbours, Chelsea Keller and Terry Englert, who live in an apartment next door, said they knew him well.

"He was a generous guy, a family man," said Keller. "We liked him."

They said Chartrand had allowed Vandyk, a friend of his, to stay for free in a room at the front of the house he rented.

Keller said Vandyk is a large man over six-feet tall, and in her experience, having spent some time in the house, also a man of few words.

That area along King East has experienced its share of violence, they added. Keller showed a scar on her forehead where she was struck by a pocket knife a few weeks ago during a home invasion; she said no one was caught.

In August a fight just a few blocks west, in the middle of King East, put a man in hospital with knife wounds.

Neighbour Donna Hughes said she sometimes hears commotion, people arguing outside a bar, but knew it was serious Thursday at about 12:30 a.m. when she saw the flashing lights.

Then she saw a body on the front step of the house and paramedics pumping the victim's chest.

"I heard a paramedic shout, 'No vitals.'"

As police continued processing the scene early Thursday evening, a property manager showed apartments for rent next door, where a sign advertised: "Live here!"

Bob and Cathy Hipson took a tour of one of the units.

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"I thought about (living here) until I saw the forensics truck outside," Cathy said.

Anyone who has information about the homicide case should call Hamilton Det. Jon Murphy at 905-546-2288.



Correction Published: 20161008 - A story in Friday’s Spectator said Marcel Chartrand’s mother died by suicide. Family members say that Chartrand’s late mother did not die by suicide.

The Spectator regrets the errors.

- King Street stabbing: Fatherhood had changed slain man's life, sister says