Three dead in intimate partner violence incident in Halifax

Halifax police have confirmed the deaths of Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her father, Bradford Downey, 73, as homicides linked to intimate partner violence. Their partner, Matthew Costain, 39, was later found dead from a gunshot wound. The incident occurred on New Year's Eve, with police responding to a shooting on Gottingen Street. Costain was identified as Smith's partner, and police are not seeking additional suspects in the case. Intimate partner violence is recognized as an epidemic in Nova Scotia. Advocacy groups are calling for action to address the rising number of such incidents in the province.