Thunder Bay

Brandi Wingert murder: police involved in prior 'domestic incident'

Thunder Bay police say they had a recent involvement at the home where 8-year-old Brandi Wingert was killed on Monday.

Police say pending inquest prevents them from releasing details about previous calls to Donald St. home

The crime scene, and the growing memorial at the Donald Street home where 8-year-old Brandi Wingert was killed. Police are providing few details about their previous 'involvement' at the residence. (Nicole Ireland/CBC)

Thunder Bay police say they had a recent involvement at the home where 8-year-old Brandi Wingert was killed on Monday.

"The Thunder Bay Police had recently responded to a dispute between the two parties," executive officer Chris Adams said in an email to CBC. "That dispute was non-violent."

Adams said he could not provide further details, such as what prompted the previous police involvement at the Donald Street residence, or when it occurred.

Police released this photo of 8-year-old Brandi Wingert who police say was killed by her mother's ex-boyfriend at their Donald Street residence in Thunder Bay on Monday. (Thunder Bay Police)

"As to time-date or other specifics, that information will provided as part of an inquest," Adams said. "Because an inquest will occur, we are unable to provide further information to the media."

An inquest could be called into the death of the 38-year-old man police say is responsible for the murder, if it is determined he died in police custody.

The province's Special Investigations Unit is still looking into the circumstances surrounding the man's death after a standoff with Thunder Bay police after Wingert died.

On Thursday police said in a news release that "there had been no prior incidents of violence reported to Thunder Bay police" at the Donald Street residence.

A woman who lives in a neighbouring apartment to Wingert's family told CBC News police were involved last week when the child's mother kicked her ex-boyfriend out of the home.