An Innisfil man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a Sandycove Acres woman in 2014.
Richard William Dowdell, 56, pleaded guilty Tuesday in the death of Yvonne (Bonnie) Brooks, 81.
"We've been in touch with the family of Mrs. Brooks throughout the investigation and trial process and we appreciate that they finally have closure on this tragic event," said South Simcoe Police Det. Sgt. James Buchanan.
South Simcoe Police were called to the small retirement community southeast of Barrie on May 30, 2014 where they found Brooks fatally injured in her Recreation Drive home.
Dowdell was arrested at the scene and initially charged with first-degree murder.
Gladys and Vernon Bates live directly across the street from Brooks' house.
"She was really a sweet lady," said Gladys, 72. "Excellent neighbour. Very kind. You couldn't ask for a better neighbour."
The couple says Dowdell had started cutting grass in the community, including the victim's, prior to the murder.
Vernon, 73, was the last person to speak to Bonnie before she was killed.
He says they were both working on their flower beds and had exchanged their usual pleasantries of 'hello' and 'how are you' before Vernon went to the back of his house.
"I saw Rick coming as I went around and next thing I know police cars are coming in and that's when it all happened," said Vernon.
"I felt guilty for a while because if I had've stayed around the front I could've done something but police told me I might've been the second victim."
Gladys says the guilty plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder was not what she expected.
"I'm thinking it took a long time for all this but the law is the law. The guilty plea to second-degree surprises me because we hear a lot of things," she said.
Dowdell's wife still lives in the community of just over 1,800 residents.
Bonnie's house, a "constant reminder" of the tragedy, was empty for a long time but now another woman has moved in.
"She's a very nice lady that has moved in and there's life there now," said Gladys. "We miss Bonnie but it's nice to see another person there and she's keeping up the flowers which Bonnie would really appreciate."
The couple says the murder brought an already close community even closer.
"We would like to thank the Sandycove community for coming forward and assisting us in our investigation," said Buchanan.
"We appreciate their faith in the South Simcoe Police and their patience during the two years since this homicide occurred."
Dowdell's sentencing is set for June 30 in Barrie.
