Charges against a Halfmoon Bay woman accused of murder in the death of her husband have been stayed.
Karin Fischer, 55, was scheduled to appear in Sechelt Provincial Court on Oct. 16, but the court appearance was cancelled after Crown prosecutors entered a stay of proceedings on Sept. 20.
Fischer was arrested and charged with second-degree murder shortly after Max Fischer, 79, was found dead at the couple’s home Aug. 21.
No other details were released, but court records indicate the crime was alleged to have taken place Aug. 19, two days before the discovery of Fischer’s body.
Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel for the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS), said after the initial report to Crown counsel “further investigative materials” came in.
“In the weeks that followed their receipt the BCPS conducted a full review of all available evidence,” McLaughlin said in an email to Coast Reporter. “Based on that review, the BCPS has determined that the available evidence no longer satisfies the charge assessment standard for the continued prosecution of Ms. Fischer.”
Under a stay of proceedings the Crown has the option to resume the prosecution within a year if stronger evidence comes forward.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been leading the investigation with assistance from Sunshine Coast RCMP. Sgt. Frank Jang of IHIT told Coast Reporter that the file remains open.
Fischer, a German citizen who told the court at her Sept. 4 appearance that she has lived in Canada since 1995, had been in custody at the Alouette Correctional Centre in Maple Ridge since her arrest. Fischer was released after the stay was entered, and her lawyer said it is his understanding that she has returned to Germany.
