The tragic death of 61-year-old Dawn Bernard has left her family in profound grief, as they grapple with the shocking circumstances surrounding her passing. Bernard succumbed to her injuries on November 17, a week after being found with severe burns on Lakeview Street on November 10. Her cousin, Suzette Marsden, emotionally recounted their close bond, describing Bernard as more of a sister than a relative. Marsden revealed that she had often advised Bernard to move on from a troubled relationship, emphasizing that life offers new opportunities beyond past heartbreaks. The family remains in disbelief, as they never anticipated such a devastating outcome. Police are actively investigating the case, which initially involved charges of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm against Bernard’s common-law husband, 35-year-old Frederick Wagner. Authorities have indicated that if a pending post-mortem examination confirms her death resulted from the injuries sustained, Wagner’s charges will be upgraded to murder. This case underscores the grim reality of domestic violence, as police confirmed Bernard had previously filed a report against Wagner in 2018, though no further complaints were made thereafter.