Rev. Walter Kelly, the Toronto police service's chief chaplain, arrived at the hospital shortly after that arrest. Russell's wife, Christine, Chief Blair, Toronto Police Association chief Mike McCormack and another police chaplain were already there.

Other family members live in Peterborough, Ont., and could not be with her immediately, said Kelly.

"That was one of the terrible things that happened. Many of us, most of us, have family and support around us, but here this young wife and young mother was pretty much alone, and thankfully OPP helped bring her family as quick as they could," said Kelly.