Ania Wardzala-Kaminski was a young mother and beloved Calgary-area teacher whose colleagues, friends and students said her employer will dearly miss.
The Calgary woman in her 30s and her father in his 60s were killed Sunday evening.
Her husband, a suspect in both murders, was found dead Monday afternoon in a rural area northwest of the city.
A family spokesperson authorized Global News to share Wardzala-Kaminski’s name and photo to honor her memory.
She was the mother of three young children and a GoFundMe page launched by a family friend, raises funds to support children who are now orphans.
“We are heartbroken to share the tragic passing of Ania Wardzala-Kaminski, a beloved mother, daughter, sister and friend,” wrote organizer Diana Wysocki.
“Ania’s dear children are today facing an unimaginable loss,” she added.
“During this devastating time, we seek to provide support and help these children navigate their grief, ensuring they have the resources and care they need to move forward without their mother.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fund had raised nearly $130,000 to support children and was growing quickly.
An undated photo of Calgary mother Ania Wardzala-Kaminski.
Courtesy of the Wardzala family
A neighbor of Wardzala-Kaminski’s parents described them as a lovely, happy family.
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Diane Lincoln, who was the father’s neighbor, said the family was still together and that Wardzala-Kaminski had dropped her mother off at the home just hours before she was killed.
“Beautiful family. I never expected anything like this,” she said.
“I am heartbroken and horrified.”
Unfortunately, domestic violence experts say it can be difficult to spot the warning signs.
“You don’t know what they’ve been through and you don’t know how difficult it is to get out of an abusive situation,” said Andrea Silverstone, CEO of the Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society.
“There is so much coercive control that we don’t see beneath the surface. That’s the first thing.
Silverstone said if you suspect someone is in an abusive relationship, the best step is to simply be there for them and decide if they should leave.
“Listen to them. Support them. Know that the journey is not a linear journey: there are ups and downs.
“They’re going to make decisions that might seem difficult to you, but you just have to be with them as they go through it.”
Domestic violence has increased over the past decade, according to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS), and groups struggled to meet growing demand for services and support.
In a statement Tuesday, Rocky View Schools said Wardzala-Kaminski was a Grade 1 and 2 teacher at Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School in Cochrane, northwest of Calgary, before she was killed Sunday.
Rocky View Schools said she previously taught at Edwards Elementary School in Airdrie from 2018 until this year, and before that at Springbank Community High School from 2015-2018.
“We are grateful for the positive impact Ania has had on the lives of our students and staff over the years,” the statement said.
“She will be greatly missed by many colleagues, friends and students at Rocky View Schools.”
Calgary police responded to a home in Kincora Grove Northwest around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, where officers arrived and found a man in his 60s dead.
Officers then went to Wardzala-Kaminski’s home in the 300 block of Tuscany Ridge Heights Northwest, where she was also found dead.
That sparked a manhunt for Wardzala-Kaminski’s wife.
Monday afternoon, an emergency alert in Alberta was issued for a dangerous person: 38-year-old Benedict Kaminski.
Hours later, he was found dead near the family’s black Nissan Pathfinder along a road in the Water Valley area, about 60 miles northwest of the County town of Mountain View.
He was not previously known to police and had no previous criminal convictions, Insp. Lee Wayne told reporters Monday before the discovery.
Wayne said investigators were working to determine a motive for the killings, but they appeared to be targeted. Police have not released the names of the victims.
The school division said it extends its sincere condolences to all those affected and is working to support students and staff.
“Families have been informed of the supports available in our schools for any students who may need them,” the division said. “We encourage parents/guardians to contact their school administrators to discuss the needs of their students. »
Police said the children were safe. Autopsies on both victims are scheduled to take place Friday.
If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, find shelter in your area or call the ACWS confidential 24-hour hotline at 1-866-331-3933. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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