Court appearance for woman charged in 3 deaths delayed for mental health assessment

The woman accused of killing three people in the span of three days across the greater Toronto region has had her court appearance adjourned until next Thursday so that her mental health can be assessed. 

Sabrina Kauldhar, 30, was pacing back and forth as she appeared in court via video on Wednesday. 

Counsel Sherif Foda asked for a delay in the proceedings in order for Kauldhar to undergo a mental health assessment.

Kauldhar is accused of killing Lance Cunningham, 47, in Niagara Falls, Mario Bilich, 77, in Hamilton, and a woman in Toronto who court records identify as Trinh Thi Vu, believed to be in her 60s. Police have not yet released her name and age.

Police say they believe Cunningham and Bilich were "randomly targeted," while the Toronto victim was known to Kauldhar. 

She was charged with second-degree murder in the Niagara Falls death, first-degree murder in the Hamilton death and second-degree murder in the Toronto death. 

Police have said investigators were able to link the Hamilton and Niagara Falls deaths after determining the description of the suspect was the same in both. They later linked Kauldhar to the death in Toronto as well. 

Niagara police said they arrested Kauldhar in a Burlington hotel late Thursday afternoon. 

Police have not yet said how the three victims were killed. They say the Toronto victim was found with "visible trauma to her body." Cunningham was found critically injured and Bilich was found with "significant injuries consistent with a stabbing," they said.

Security footage obtained by CBC News appears to show Kauldhar following Billich, a retired Catholic school teacher, as he walked down the street shortly before he was killed. The footage then shows what is believed to be Kauldhar running away. 

WATCH | Security camera footage appears to show Mario Bilich's final moments:

Security camera footage appears to show Mario Bilich's final moments

2 months ago

Duration 3:39

Locals are leaving flowers at the parking lot where Mario Bilich, 77, was found with stab wounds on Thursday, before he died in hospital. One Hamilton resident who knew Bilich says his security camera footage shows that the attack on Bilich was targeted. CBC’s Naama Weingarten has the latest.

Niagara police Chief Bill Fordy previously said that if convicted, Kauldhar would fit the definition of a serial killer.

She is slated to attend court in person on Oct. 17.