Police are on the hunt for a man wanted in connection with the violent murder of a woman on the street outside a southeast Calgary home on Wednesday.

Neighbours called 911 and alerted police to an altercation in the 100 block of Chaparral Valley Grove S.E. at about 6:30 a.m.

When police arrived they found a woman dead in the street and another suffering from knife wounds.

The victim has been identified as Carmel Leah Christians, 55, of Calgary.

Her estranged husband, James Allan Christians, 65, of Calgary, is wanted for second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon in connection with her stabbing death.

The other woman, Dolores McMartin, remains in stable condition in hospital and is expected to survive.

Police have followed up on several tips from the public on the whereabouts of Christians but so far have not located him.

Christians is known to police and was charged with two counts of assault and threats in September, 2013.

Police confirm that there was a protection order issued at that time.

“Police responded to a complaint on September 2, 2013, and based on information provided to police, Mr. Christians was charged with two counts of assault and threats. At that time an emergency protection order was put in place,” said CPS S/Sgt Doug Andrus.

The restraining order prohibited Christians from being within 500 metres of his estranged wife and her workplace and was to be in effect for one year.

Christians is described as:

  • Caucasian
  • 175 cm or 5'9" tall
  • about 113 Kg or 250 lbs.
  • salt and pepper hair
  • blue eyes

Police say Christians is associated to a 2013, medium-grey, GMC pickup truck with Alberta plate JRA 305.

Investigators say he is dangerous and could be armed and anyone with information is asked to call 911.