A tragic incident unfolded in Brampton, Ontario, when a 29-year-old mother of four was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, who also kidnapped her and their infant daughter. The woman, identified as Savannah Kulla, was discovered deceased in a shopping center parking lot on Tuesday afternoon, according to local law enforcement.
The alleged perpetrator, 39-year-old Anthony Deschepper, is believed to have left Kulla’s body at the scene before fleeing. Authorities report that prior to the murder, Deschepper had abducted Kulla and their one-year-old daughter. An Amber Alert was promptly issued for the child, who was later found unharmed with relatives in Niagara Falls. The family members informed police that Deschepper had dropped off the child, triggering a manhunt.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit located Deschepper at a gas station in Niagara Falls early Wednesday morning. A confrontation ensued, during which an officer shot and killed Deschepper. A firearm was recovered at the scene, but there was no evidence to suggest that Deschepper had fired any shots, according to a department press release.
A woman, whose identity and relationship to Deschepper remain unclear, was reportedly driving him at the time of the confrontation. She was subsequently arrested, as reported by local news outlet CTV News.
Kulla’s mother, Karen, spoke to local media about her daughter’s struggle to distance herself from Deschepper, who she described as having become “obsessed” and “crazy” in recent weeks. Kulla, who also had three sons from a previous relationship, had been trying to end her relationship with Deschepper.
Kulla’s sons, aged 6, 5, and 4, are currently in the care of their father. A GoFundMe campaign has been established by one of Kulla’s childhood friends to secure funds for the future of all four children, aiming to create a safe and loving environment that aligns with the future Kulla envisioned for them.
The friend described Kulla as a devoted mother whose world revolved around her children. A post-mortem examination for Deschepper is scheduled for Thursday.