Calgary man charged with first-degree murder in alleged killing of ex-spouse: police

Police investigating a homicide in the 100 block of Belmont Drive S.W. on Feb. 3, 2025. (CTV News)

A Calgary man has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly assaulting and killing his ex-spouse in a home in the community of Belmont on Monday morning.

Police say the suspect broke into the home the victim shared with a current partner and fatally assaulted her.

An autopsy identified the victim as Anna Brazkho, 38, of Calgary. Police said she died as a result of homicide.

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Brazkho’s ex, Mohamad Anass Mahmou Al-Sahli, 47, was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

He appeared in court on Tuesday and was remanded into custody.

Police responded to the home in the 100 block of Belmont Drive S.W. at 1:50 a.m. on Monday, following a 911 call.

When police and EMS arrived on the scene, they found Brazkho dead inside the home.

At the time, Al-Sahli was bound by the conditions of a peace bond relating to Brazkho and a July 2024 incident.

Al-Sahli was accused of committing assault causing bodily harm on Brazkho; choking, strangling or suffocating Brazkho; unlawfully confining Brazkho; willfully damaging property of a value not exceeding $5,000 (Brazkho’s cellphone); and obstructing a peace officer.

The charges were withdrawn in September 2024 upon Al-Sahli entering into the peace bond.

Conditions to the peace bond included having no contact or communication, direct or indirect, with Brazkho; coming no closer than 200 metres of any known place of residence, employment, education or worship of Brazkho; and attending domestic violence counselling.

In announcing the first-degree murder charge Tuesday, police issued a statement:

“This is a tragic example of the devastating impacts that domestic violence has on families in Calgary,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson with the Calgary Police Service homicide unit.

“Help is available, and we implore anyone who may have a loved one experiencing domestic violence to reach out and stop the cycle.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Resources are available for those experiencing abuse or violence in an intimate or family relationship:

• Countless agencies are available to help by calling 211;
• The Domestic Violence and Abuse Helpline is available 24/7 at 403-234-SAFE (7233);
• The Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 is available 24/7 and in more than 170 languages from anywhere in Alberta;
• The Alberta Safety Chat Line is available online between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. MST in English.

Victims of domestic violence can also contact Calgary police by calling the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or 911 in an emergency situation.