Community turnout highlights local concern over intimate partner violence
More than 200 people gathered at a Barrie park on Sunday evening for a candlelit vigil remembering Jen Foster, a mother who was killed in a June incident police have described as a murder‑suicide. The event drew family, friends and neighbours who spoke about loss, the needs of the children left behind and the broader issue of domestic violence in the community.
- Victim: Jen Foster, mother of two sons, Evan and Quintin.
- Incident: Police responded to a wellness check at a north‑end home on Peregrine Road on June 20; the woman’s death was ruled a homicide and the man’s death is believed to be self‑inflicted.
- Public response: A vigil attended by over 200 people; calls for more discussion and support around intimate partner violence.
Barrie police attended a residence near St. Vincent Street and Osprey Ridge Road for a wellness check around 9 a.m. on June 20. Officers found the bodies of a 46‑year‑old man and a 45‑year‑old woman. Police later said the woman’s death was deemed a homicide while the man appeared to have died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities recovered the firearm at the scene.
Voices at the vigil
Family members used the public gathering to remember the woman they described as a devoted mother and to urge more open conversations about domestic violence. Foster’s sister‑in‑law, identified in earlier reporting, told attendees she hoped the vigil could turn sorrow into action and ensure support for the children.
"Anyone that knew Jen knew she was a little firecracker ... She lived for these boys,"
The sister‑in‑law said she was surprised and grateful by the turnout and emphasised the need to speak about the effects of domestic violence on whole families and communities.
Local consequences and questions
The June incident has left two young men without their parents; those boys were named in earlier reporting as Evan and Quintin. Organisers and attendees at the vigil called for improved awareness and support services for those affected by intimate partner violence locally.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident date (wellness check) | June 20 |
| Police confirmation | Release posted June 25 |
| Vigil attendance | More than 200 people |
Local advocates and civic leaders face renewed pressure to ensure resources are available for victims and for children left grieving after violent incidents. The community's public expressions of grief — including the vigil — underline the ongoing challenge of addressing intimate partner violence and its ripple effects on families and neighbourhoods.
Police did not release additional details about the investigation at the time of the vigil. Media reports have identified the man involved as Brian Ryback, and the woman as Jen Foster. The vigil organisers asked for compassion and practical support for Foster’s sons as they cope with their loss.
Further updates from Barrie police or community services on supports for the children or any developments in the investigation will be reported as they become available.
