Susanne Nesbitt-McNally and Trevor McNally died in a tragic murder-suicide in 2015, say members of the Nesbitt family.
The couple was found dead inside their Eden Mills home on Nov. 20, 2015. Emergency crews initially responded to the house on Lowrie Lane for a call about a house fire “with people trapped” inside.
OPP officials have not released any details about the case in over 19 months, but Kim and Laura Nesbitt are now coming forward to clarify what happened to their sister.
They say their brother-in-law Trevor McNally, a Halton Hills firefighter, killed Sue and then took his own life.
According to the coroner’s report the family received, Sue died from a single stab wound to the heart. She was discovered in her bed while Trevor was found in his ceremonial uniform face-down on the living room floor.
The details of Trevor’s death were redacted from a police report Kim received through a freedom of information request.
Kim said when police told her Sue and Trevor were dead, she was convinced Trevor killed Sue.
“My whole family was just devastated beyond belief at that moment,” she said.
The family waited two days for the coroner’s call confirming that Trevor “had taken the brightest light ever and snuffed it out,” said Kim.
Laura and Kim describe Trevor as someone who struggled with alcohol addiction.
“Trevor had dark demons,” Laura added.
Trevor previously tried to commit suicide in November 2012 and January 2014, which left Sue “devastated,” said Kim.
Laura said she believes Sue was leaving Trevor because “she couldn’t handle his drinking.”
On Nov. 18 Sue told Kim she made Trevor aware of her intent to leave him, Kim said. On Nov. 19 Sue was to speak to a counsellor about her plans to leave.
“I truly believe that she was killed because she was leaving, no other reason,” said Kim. “She was leaving and Trevor didn’t like to lose.”
Despite several media requests, OPP officials have never provided details about the case, including the cause of death for Sue and Trevor.
Earlier this year the Advertiser filed freedom of information requests seeking basic details about the case from the OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office (via the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services). Both were denied.
And though the family has now come forward about Sue’s death, OPP officials still refuse to release information about the case, citing an internal policy.
“One of the biggest things that we have to recognize and respect is any issues involving re-victimization involving the family,” said Sgt. Peter Leon, provincial coordinator of OPP media relations.
Leon said any information released is at the discretion of the detective in charge of the case. He added the investigation was concluded, though he would not specify when, and said no further information will be released.
Leon said the OPP have standard operating procedures for the release of information to the public and media, but he wouldn’t elaborate on those procedures.
“I won’t speak specifically to policy, that is internal to the organization,” he said.
Kim and Laura told the Advertiser that after dealing with the aftermath of Sue’s death, and then the death of their mother Denise just eight months later, the family is ready to talk.
“My mother’s last wish was she wanted the truth to be told,” said Kim.
“She wanted the world to know that Sue was a domestic violence homicide victim, who was murdered because she was leaving her relationship.”
Laura added, “I’m sick of everybody saying … ‘I thought they died in a fire’ … no – they didn’t die in a fire.”
Family members say Sue had a heart of gold.
“I think Sue deserves to have the truth known and deserves to have a voice,” said Kim. “And her life deserves to count and not be swept under the rug.”
