Belleville Police Service. /BPS Facebook photo
A 50-year-old Tweed man is now facing a first-degree murder charge following the death of a 72-year-old woman injured in an alleged assault earlier this year, say Belleville police.
In an update issued by the Belleville Police Service on Thursday, July 24, 2025, police confirmed the first-degree murder charge was laid.
Back on May 31, 2025, police said they responded to a call in the city’s east end, and officers arrived and found the victim “suffering from significant head trauma.”
She was sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and the accused initially charged with aggravated assault (as well as other offences.)
In the Thursday release, police stated on July 17, the service’s criminal investigations division learned the victim – now officially identified by police as Barbara O’Donnell – had succumbed to her injuries.
“As a result, the charge against the male has been upgraded to first-degree murder,” reads the release.
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, police said Jason Richardson, 50, of Tweed, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
This charge has not been proven in court.
However, police stated that the accused has remained in custody following his initial arrest on June 2.
Earlier this year, in their initial report on the incident, police said on May 31, at about 7:35 p.m., they had received a call from fire and paramedics to attend an east-end residence after the 72-year-old was found outside with significant head trauma.
As the investigation unfolded, police said they were able to identify a suspect and associated vehicle that had allegedly fled prior to emergency crews’ arrival.
Further investigation also allegedly revealed a second adult female victim, who police said was the victim of ongoing criminal harassment by the same suspect.
While initially police said they were unable to locate the suspect, an unrelated call in the same residential area as the first call led police to find the suspect looking for his vehicle.
A high-risk vehicle stop ended up being initiated, and while the suspect “stopped momentarily,” during the attempted arrest, he allegedly placed his vehicle into reverse and rammed a police vehicle, “causing extensive damage.”
The officer in the vehicle was reportedly taken to hospital as a precaution.
Police said they also found a loaded hunting rifle on the passenger seat of the vehicle.
In addition to the aggravated assault charge, police reported the accused was initially charged with operation while impaired, occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm, criminal harassment, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
None of these charges have been proven in court.
Earlier this year, police stated the name of the accused wasn’t being released in order to protect the identity of the victims.
No other details were released by police.
