Two Canadians dead in Poland, one by suicide using police gun

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Two Canadians died following an incident in Kraków, Poland this week.

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According to an email sent to the National Post, Global Affairs Canada has been informed of the fatalities and consular officials are gathering more information from local authorities.

The agency said it would not disclose more information at this time in respect of privacy considerations.

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On Tuesday night police said they were called to a tenement house in Krakow’s Kazimierz district where a neighbour heard what sounded like a domestic disturbance in her friend’s apartment.

After obtaining entry with the help of firefighters, police located an injured 24-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man who had attempted suicide.

The woman, identified by Polstat News as being of Polish-Canadian descent, was taken to hospital where she died.

The man, whom Onet reported was a newly arrived Canadian, was suspected of murdering the woman and was brought to police headquarters.

During questioning early Wednesday morning, police said the man “snatched” a weapon from an officer and turned it on himself.

Early information suggested the man barricaded himself in a room to commit suicide, but a spokesperson denied the assertion and told Onet the man was handcuffed at the time.

As for why he wasn’t taken to hospital after an alleged suicide attempt, senior inspector Katarzyna Cisło said the man had been “medically consulted” before being taken into custody.

The National Post has contacted police in Kraków to verify media reports.

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While police have not commented on the relationship between the deceased, Polstat reported the woman’s neighbour said the two were formerly partners.

The matter is now in the hands of the local District Prosecutor’s office and both scenes remain under investigation.

Autopsies are scheduled for Thursday.

If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, please contact 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8 toll free. The service is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

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