Calgary police have charged a man in his 80s in connection with the death of his wife at a Rideau Park area home on Tuesday morning.

Police were called to a home in the 3000 block of Rideau Place S.W. at about 4:15 a.m. for reports of a suspicious death.

A woman was found deceased at the scene and has been identified as 80-year-old Audrey Van Zuiden.

Investigators believe she was attacked during the early morning hours but they have yet to determine a motive.

“It’s very rare, very rare fortunately and very tragic,” said CPS Major Crimes Inspector Don Coleman. “There is extended family that we’ve been able to contact, yep, so they’ve been notified.”

An 85-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

Siegfried Van Zuiden, the victim's husband, is charged with second-degree murder in the death.

“Not first-degree murder because of what would appear to be a lack of any premeditation so second-degree murder would be the natural progression from there,” said Coleman.

Coleman says Van Zuiden called 911 and met officers at the door when they arrived.

Police say they are not aware of a history of domestic violence at the home and an autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death.

Van Zuiden is scheduled to next appear in court on Wednesday.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637