Accused man remanded into custody following Hillendale Avenue homicide
There was a sombre feeling in the air as Det. Jay Finn addressed the media at Kingston Police Headquarters following a homicide on Hillendale Avenue.
The press conference took place just after 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, just over 24 hours after police were called to the address in central Kingston. Police arrived at the Hillendale Avenue address to find a deceased female, the wife of the accused, following a stabbing that police are considering a domestic incident, Finn explained.
“On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the Kingston Police and the Frontenac County Regional Ambulance Service was called to the Hillendale Avenue area for the report that a female had been stabbed. The 60-year-old female was treated for wounds resulting from a domestic incident and transported to Kingston General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries,” Finn said.
“A 50-year-old male, Richard Fardella, was arrested and charged for second degree murder. Fardella was taken for bail hearing yesterday and remanded into custody. The Kingston Police Criminal Investigation Unit is currently continuing this investigation. This is a tragic case, and Kingston Police are doing their best to respect the family’s wishes at this time.”
Finn said Fardella was taken into custody without incident. Finn confirmed that Fardella’s lawyer requested a metal health assessment for his client at the bail hearing.
According to his niece, Lesley Fardella, Richard (better known to friends and family as Rick) is suffering through the late stages of brain cancer.
“My family suffered something unimaginable today and as devastated as we are over the death of my aunt, please know that my amazing Uncle Rick is in his final stages of brain cancer and really has no idea of what he has done,” she said in a post on Facebook.
“For all of you that know my Uncle Rick, you know that he would never be capable of this. Please rather [than] share the article that makes this out to be a malicious murder, please share the actual truth for the sake of my cousins who have lost their mother and are losing their father to a brutal illness and for the sake of my family.”
Fardella is part of a well-known family in Kingston, known in part for their west-end bakery, Fardella’s Classic Bakery, where he has been the head baker for many years.
Kingstonist will continue to follow up on this matter and provide updated information as it becomes available.
With files from Lucas Mulder.
Your family has our deepest condolences and hopes you all become closer to this terrible tragedy and the fond memories help you through this difficult time…
Keeping this family in prayer. Hoping that all will do that also.
my thoughts and prayers stay strong your uncle should never have been put in jail hugs
Thoughts and prayers are with Rick and his family. Rick has always been kind and caring, took time out when it wasn’t busy to chat with us. We were shocked when he told us of his illness. My heart goes out to him and his family. We’re thinking of you Rick, stay strong!!
“Snuggles and Spaff”