Toronto man charged with murdering common-law spouse after oxygen allegedly turned off

On the door of the apartment where 52-year-old Carolyn Campbell lived with her common-law husband is a large sign reading “Oxygen in use, no open flames.”

According to court documents obtained by Global News, Toronto police alleged Josiph Cardle murdered Campbell by turning off Campbell’s oxygen supply — something her neighbours said she depended on to breathe.

Campbell, who was on long-term disability, suffered from heart disease and a lung condition, upstairs neighbor Tori DePatie said. She said Campbell would frequently would go to hospital in an ambulance due to her medical condition.

When police were called to the apartment building in the Pharmacy Avenue and St. Clair Avenue East, at around 9:40 a.m. on July 5, Campbell had no vital signs. Toronto police said she was taken to Michael Garron Hospital on life support and on July 12, she died of her injuries.

Cardle was arrested at the scene and originally charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, failing to provide the necessities of life, and two counts of failing to comply with probation. Those charges were upgraded to second-degree murder after Campbell’s death.

Court documents also revealed that on July 17, 2017, Cardle pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife — two days after he was arrested. For that, he was given a conditional discharge and 18 months of probation with conditions, including not possessiing any weapons, attending counselling for domestic violence and psychiatric issues, and not having any contact with Campbell except with her prior written consent.

Toronto Police Homicide Squad Det. Scott Matthews told Global News police are trying to ascertain if Campbell had officially revoked the condition.

When DePatie learned Campbell died of her injuries and that Cardle was charged with murder, she said, “That does not surprise me.” DePatie said she frequently heard arguing from the apartment directly below her where the couple lived and knew Cardle was arrested before for domestic violence.

“She came up to talk to me a few times. I said, ‘Did he hit you?’ and she said, ‘Yes,'” DePatie said.

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“And she paused and then she said, ‘It’s okay because it only happened one time,’ and I said, ‘Carol, you and I both know one time is one too often.'”

DePatie said Campbell told her she loved him and cared for him and didn’t know what she was going to do. She said she worried about Campbell’s safety, but said Campbell — a retired nurse — did not want help.

“I said, ‘You’re making excuses for him.’ I know what it’s like to be a victim in an abusive relationship and I broke free from domestic violence. I said it’s disturbing for me,” DePatie said.

“I said, ‘Carol, you know as well as I do that there is so much help out there for women who are being abused. You don’t have to live like this.'”

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Meanwhile, Cardle will remain in custody until his next court appearance on July 24. The charges have not been proven in court.