Police have upgraded a second-degree murder charge against a 45-year-old Peterborough woman to first-degree murder in connection with the sudden death of her 74-year-old mother in June.
Just before 5 p.m. on June 5, police were called to the area of the London Street footbridge on the east side of the Otonabee River about a woman in the water.
After arriving at the scene, officers pulled the woman out of the water and attempted life-saving measures. The woman was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where she was pronounced dead.
Although police did not consider the death suspicious at the time, all sudden deaths are reviewed by the Major Crime Unit.
After further investigation and follow-up, police arrested 45-year-old Sarah-Jayne Maier on June 12 and charged her with second-degree murder in connection to the death of her mother, 74-year-old Susan Maier of Peterborough.
After further investigation, police have re-arrested Maier and charged her with first-degree murder.
The accused woman will appear in court on Tuesday (August 4).
Under Canada’s criminal code, first-degree murder involves a killing that is both deliberate and planned in advance, while second-degree murder involves a deliberate killing without advance planning.
First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
