Ania Wardzala-Kaminski, a 33-year-old Canadian teacher and mother of three, was killed alongside her father, Stanislaw Wardzala, 71, in a domestic double homicide in Calgary, Alberta, on December 29, 2024. The victims were found dead at separate homes in the city's Tuscany and Kincora neighborhoods. Police identified Ania's husband, Benedict Kaminski, 38, as the suspect and launched a manhunt before discovering him dead near his vehicle in Water Valley the following day. Days before the killings, Ania had reportedly told her family that she intended to leave her husband following a confrontation during Christmas dinner. Her death devastated relatives, students, and colleagues who remembered her as a compassionate educator and devoted mother.
Who Was Ania Kaminski?
Anna Kaminski, widely known as Ania Wardzala-Kaminski, was an elementary school teacher who worked for Rocky View Schools in the Calgary metropolitan area.
She taught young students at Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School and École Edwards Elementary School in Airdrie. She had also worked at Springbank Community High School.
Colleagues remembered her for her dedication to education and the positive relationships she developed with students and staff.
Outside her professional life, Ania was a mother of three young children and an active member of Calgary's Polish community. She was also involved with her church and maintained close relationships with relatives and neighbors.
Following her death, Rocky View Schools expressed its condolences and acknowledged her lasting contribution to the school community.
What Happened in the Calgary Double Homicide?
The killings occurred on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at two residences in northwest Calgary.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Calgary police responded to a report of a person in medical distress at a home in the Kincora neighborhood. Officers discovered a man in his seventies who was pronounced dead.
During the investigation, police received information that led them to another residence in Tuscany, where they found a woman in her thirties dead at approximately 11:15 p.m.
Both deaths were investigated as a targeted domestic double homicide.
Autopsies conducted on January 3, 2025, confirmed the victims' identities as Stanislaw Wardzala, 71, and his daughter, Anna Kaminski, 33.
Local reporting identified both deaths as shootings, although Calgary police did not release extensive forensic details in their public statements.
Who Was Benedict Kaminski?
Benedict Kaminski, 38, was Ania's husband and the father of their three children.
Calgary police identified him as the suspect in the deaths of his wife and father-in-law.
Following the discovery of the victims, police issued an emergency alert warning residents that an armed suspect was believed to be traveling through northwest Calgary and surrounding communities.
Authorities searched for Kaminski and his black Nissan Pathfinder.
On December 30, 2024, investigators received information about a vehicle parked in the Water Valley area, northwest of Calgary.
Officers arrived and found Kaminski dead near his vehicle. The emergency alert was subsequently canceled.
His death ended the search for the suspect. Because Kaminski died before criminal proceedings could take place, he was never tried or convicted in connection with the killings.
Ania Kaminski Was Reportedly Planning to Leave Her Husband
In the days following the deaths, Ania's younger brother, Peter Wardzala, revealed that tensions within the family had escalated during Christmas celebrations.
Speaking to CityNews on January 2, 2025, Peter said an argument broke out between Benedict and other family members during Christmas dinner.
The disagreement became heated enough that Peter nearly confronted his brother-in-law physically. He said he avoided escalating the situation because children were present.
According to Peter, Ania subsequently expressed her intention to leave her husband.
Following the confrontation, she reportedly stayed with her children at her father's home in Kincora.
On December 29, Ania returned to the family home in Tuscany so the children could spend time with their father. Peter said he exchanged messages with his sister about her plans that day.
He later became concerned when he could no longer reach her.
Shortly afterward, his mother contacted him to report that their father had been shot.
Peter's account provided important context about the family's circumstances before the killings. However, the precise motive behind the deaths was not established through criminal court proceedings.
Who Was Stanislaw Wardzala?
Stanislaw Wardzala, 71, was Ania's father and the second victim of the double homicide.
He lived in Calgary's Kincora neighborhood, where Ania and her children had reportedly been staying following the Christmas dispute.
Stanislaw was found dead at his residence before investigators discovered his daughter at the separate Tuscany home.
His son, Peter Wardzala, later spoke publicly about the loss of both his father and sister, describing the devastating effect on their family.
Stanislaw and Ania were remembered together during a funeral service held in Calgary on January 11, 2025.
Three Children Left Without Their Parents
Ania's death left her three young children without their mother. Their father, Benedict Kaminski, was found dead the following day.
Peter Wardzala said he and his mother intended to take responsibility for the children's care and provide them with a stable family environment.
A family friend, Diana Wysocki, organized an online fundraiser to help support the children with living expenses, education, and long-term needs.
The campaign attracted substantial community support. By January 11, 2025, donations had approached CAD 330,000.
The family's primary concern was helping the children cope with the loss of their parents while protecting their privacy and emotional well-being.
Calgary Community Mourns Ania and Her Father
Friends, neighbors, and colleagues gathered for a candlelight vigil on January 3, 2025, to remember Ania and Stanislaw.
Approximately 100 people attended the gathering, sharing memories of the family and expressing support for the surviving children.
Ania's neighbor Sarah Gustafsson helped organize the vigil after hearing from community members who wanted to honor her life.
Those who knew Ania remembered her dedication to teaching, her involvement in the Polish community, and her commitment to her children.
The deaths also prompted discussions about domestic violence and the importance of providing support to people experiencing unsafe relationships.
A joint funeral service for Ania and Stanislaw was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Calgary on January 11, 2025, followed by a graveside service at Queen's Park Cemetery.
- Log in to post comments