Table 5
Homicides, by accused-victim relationship, Canada, 2013 and 2014

Table summary
This table displays the results of Homicides, by accused-victim relationship, Canada, 2013 and 2014. The information is grouped by Relationship type (victim killed by) (appearing as row headers), 2014, 2013 and Average 2004 to 2013, calculated using number of victims and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Relationship typeNote 1 (victim killed by) 2014 2013Note r: revised Average 2004 to 2013
number of victims percentNote 2 number of victims percentNote 2 number of victims percentNote 2
Family relationship 131 34.1 134 33.2 151 32.9
Spousal relationship 62 16.1 47 11.6 67 14.5
Legal husband/wife 20 5.2 18 4.5 25 5.5
Common-law husband/wife 25 6.5 18 4.5 26 5.7
Separated or divorced husband/wife 11 2.9 4 1.0 9 1.9
Separated common-law husband/wifeNote 3 5 1.3 5 1.2 5 1.2
Same-sex spouseNote 4 1 0.3 2 0.5 1 0.3
Other family relationshipNote 5 69 18.0 87 21.5 84 18.4
Father or mother 18 4.7 20 5.0 28 6.0
Son or daughter 29 7.6 34 8.4 23 5.1
Sibling 6 1.6 12 3.0 11 2.3
Extended familyNote 6 16 4.2 21 5.2 23 5.0
Intimate relationshipNote 7 21 5.5 25 6.2 22 4.9
Acquaintance 142 37.0 150 37.1 161 35.2
Close friend 20 5.2 35 8.7 34 7.3
Neighbour 7 1.8 16 4.0 14 3.0
Authority figure 5 1.3 3 0.7 2 0.5
Business relationship (legal) 11 2.9 3 0.7 8 1.6
Casual acquaintance 99 25.8 93 23.0 104 22.7
Criminal relationshipNote 8 24 6.3 38 9.4 48 10.5
Stranger 66 17.2 57 14.1 76 16.6
Unknown relationship 1 Note ...: not applicable 2 Note ...: not applicable 4 Note ...: not applicable
Total solved homicidesNote 9 385 100.0 406 100.0 462 100.0
Unsolved homicides 131 Note ...: not applicable 106 Note ...: not applicable 130 Note ...: not applicable
Total homicides 516 Note ...: not applicable 512 Note ...: not applicable 592 Note ...: not applicable
... not applicable
r revised
Note 1.

Includes homicides with a known accused. If there were more than one accused, only the closest relationship to the victim was recorded.

Return to note 1 referrer

Note 2.

Solved homicides where the type of relationship was unknown are excluded from the calculation of percentages.

Return to note 2 referrer

Note 3.

Response categories for "separated common-law husband" and "separated common-law wife" were introduced to the Homicide Survey in 2005. As such, the average number and percent are calculated from 2005 to 2013.

Return to note 3 referrer

Note 4.

Includes current and former same-sex spouses.

Return to note 4 referrer

Note 5.

Includes biological, adopted, step, and foster relationships.

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Note 6.

Includes nieces, nephews, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws, etc., related by blood, marriage (including common-law) or adoption.

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Note 7.

Includes dating relationships (current and former) and other intimate relationships.

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Note 8.

Includes, for example, sex workers, drug dealers and their clients, loan sharks, or gang members. When more than one relationship applies (e.g. criminal relationship and close friend), police are asked to report the primary relationship.

Return to note 8 referrer

Note 9.

Includes homicides with a known accused.

Return to note 9 referrer

Note: The sum of averages may not add up to the total average due to rounding. Percentages may not add up due to rounding. Figures prior to 2014 may differ from previously published figures due to ongoing updates to the data files as new information becomes available.
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Homicide Survey.
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