Woman found in hotel was respected dentist
Hours after the body of a murdered Saint John, N.B., woman was found in a room at the Chateau Lake Louise, a man from the same Maritime city was found dead in a car about a half-hour’s drive away.
Investigators say their deaths are related.
The woman, whose body was found in a hotel room on Sunday just before 3 p.m., has been identified on social media and by local news outlets as Saint John dentist Cindy McCormick, who was attending a dental conference at the hotel over the weekend.
The Alberta RCMP major crimes unit and Lake Louise Mounties are investigating, and have deemed her death a homicide.
Just before midnight the same day, Mounties in B.C. were called to Emerald Lake Road, a short drive west from the hotel, where a man’s body was found inside a 2018 silver Hyundai Elantra.
He has since been identified as Saint John firefighter Robert Kaine. Investigators said the 52-year-old’s death is classified as non-criminal but wouldn’t confirm if he took his own life.
The two were reportedly in a romantic relationship.
The autopsy on McCormick was completed Tuesday, though police said her identity has not yet been confirmed.
In a Facebook post, the New Brunswick Dental Society said they’re saddened by the loss of McCormick, who was an active member of the group.
“Cindy practised in Saint John for over 15 years, and served on the society’s board of directors. Dr. McCormick was full of life, and very engaged in dentistry at the regional, provincial and national levels,” the post read. “Our sincere condolences to her dental team, patients and her family. She will be missed.”
A statement from Saint John fire chief Kevin Clifford expressed shock over the deaths of McCormick and Kaine.
“The Saint John Fire Department just wants to extend the deepest sympathies and condolences to Cindy McCormick and Robert Kaine, to their family, friends and co-workers,” he said. “We’re shocked and saddened by the news of their passing.”
In a separate Facebook post, the union representing Saint John firefighters, IAFF Local 771, posted its own condolences for Kaine.
“It is with great sadness and deepest regret that the SJFF’s announce the passing of our Brother Robert ‘Bobby’ Kaine,” it read.
“Bob joined the Saint John Fire Department in 1988 and after becoming a senior firefighter, accepted a position as fire prevention officer. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Bob’s family, friends and fellow firefighters.”
On social media, friends and acquaintances of Kaine expressed shock and disbelief, with many tributes to the “gentle giant” who was also a well-known member of the local hockey community.
“Everybody knows he was an amazing influence around the rinks and coached so many,” wrote George Northrup on Facebook. “I fortunately knew Bobby as much away from the rink as I did inside one. I lived with him and his family ... and they took care of me like I was one of their own. He truly was an amazing man and will be missed by so many.”