Police probe island death

Photo: CTV

Police investigate a death in Saanich Tuesday morning. March 18, 2014. (CTV)

Update -- March 20

Mounties are recommending murder charges against an elderly man accused of shooting his wife to death in their Saanich home.

Rosa Des Roches was found fatally shot at her Cameo Street home Tuesday morning, and police arrested her husband, 71-year-old Joseph Melvin Des Roches, at the scene.

Officers also discovered the family dog had been shot and killed.

Neighbours said the couple had lived in the home for many years and there had never been any cause for concern before.

The couple was said to have adult children who don’t live with them.

Melvin Des Roches is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and also worked as a Comissionaire.

Original story -- March 19

Vancouver Island police are probing a mysterious death on a quiet residential street in Saanich.

The deceased was found after authorities received a 911 call reporting a medical emergency at a home on Cameo Street Tuesday morning.

A man was arrested without incident.

Saanich police are not commenting on the cause of death and haven’t confirmed reports that shots were fired in the neighbourhood. Sgt. John Price said only that an autopsy is expected in the coming days.

The deceased’s name, age and gender are also unknown.

Despite the lack of details surrounding the death, Price assured the public they are not in danger.

“I can, with a high degree of confidence, report there is no risk to the residents of Cameo,” he said in a statement.

Neighbours said a man and woman live in the house, which remained cordoned off with police tape Tuesday afternoon. The couple is said to have adult children who don’t live with them.