By Haldimand Press Staff
SELKIRK — Members of Haldimand OPP arrested one person this week for murder in connection with a suspicious death at a residence in Selkirk.
On February 3, 2022 around 8 p.m. members of the Haldimand OPP Detachment and other emergency services responded to a 911 emergency call at a residence on Smelsers Cove Lane. Responding officers located a seriously injured male, who was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim has since been identified as Paul Pender, age 54 of Grimsby.
A February 4 release from Haldimand OPP noted that one person had been taken into custody and there were no concerns for public safety. Bradley House, age 31 of Hamilton, has since been charged with second-degree murder contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code.
The accused is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cayuga at a later date to answer to the charge.
Pender leaves behind his wife and three children, along with other family, friends, and colleagues. The local wine industry shared its grief and condolences following the announcement, as Pender is well known for his work as a winemaker in Niagara. Tawse Estate Winery, where Pender was the head winemaker since 2006, acknowledged his death on its website, saying he passed “unexpectedly under tragic circumstances.”
The Tawse statement added, “We will all miss him more than words can express. He was not just our manager but our good friend as well.”
“Our local Ontario wine industry is heartbroken. We have tragically lost an industry legend, Paul Pender. Paul touched the lives of so many people and deep sadness has spread near and far,” wrote Wine Country Ontario on Twitter.
“Let us all treasure the gift of precious memories and honour his generous, kind, and gentle spirit,” continued the Wine Country Ontario post. “He will be remembered as one of the wine world’s great ones. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Paul’s devastated family, friends, and colleagues. May he rest in peace.”
The incident is being investigated by the Haldimand County OPP Crime Unit and the OPP Forensic Identification Services Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have information to assist with the investigation, to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
