in the days leading up to her tragic death sunday night, jennifer zabarylo was in her happy place.
she was doing what she did best in life, helping others and celebrating as she put the finishing touches on amy lamontagne’s wedding in carleton place on saturday.
the two had been best friends for more than 30 years, dating back to grade 10.
“we had spent the last few days together,” said lamontagne, holding back tears as she talked over the telephone about the enthusiasm and spirit zabarylo brought to the world.
“it was like old times. we were laughing all the time. we had a girls night. she was so full of energy, always working to help people. she was helping me set up and was so ridiculously happy.”
then came the shock of hearing about zabarylo’s death at her two-storey home on lady slipper way in a quiet rural neighbourhood, west of stittsville.
“i’m still in disbelief,” lamontagne said.
zabarylo’s husband, michael, is facing a second-degree murder charge for what ottawa police are describing as a femicide, “occurring in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of many forms of misogynist killings”.
he first appeared virtually in court on monday, where he said he was aware of the charge against him.