On Thursday, March 24, 2016, shortly before 1:00 p.m. emergency crews responded to a residential fire at 58 Nichols Drive in Blenheim.
As emergency personnel entered the home to battle the blaze, Margaret Ardis, 73 years, was found deceased inside the residence. Her husband sustained injuries and was transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for medical attention.
On Friday, March 25, 2016 a post-mortem examination was conducted at University Hospital in London which concluded that the woman’s cause of death was not fire related, but as a result of a criminal offence.
This morning, police arrested and charged the woman’s husband, Walter Ardis, 78 years, of Nichols Drive in Blenheim with First Degree Murder. He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.
To protect the integrity of the investigation, no further information will be released at this time.
Should there be any official updates released they will come through the Chatham-Kent Police Media Relations Office.