Latest news with #MadissonCobb
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Calgary rally against domestic violence calls for change
Madisson Cobb, 23, died last week. A rally was held in memory of her and other victims of domestic violence on July 26, 2025. (Jordan Kanygin/CTV News Calgary) Dozens of Calgarians gathered at city hall on Saturday to speak out against domestic violence and the need to protect people harmed by their partners. The event happened exactly a week after the shooting death of 23-year-old Madisson Cobb. Cobb's ex-boyfriend, Devon Bradley Malik, is now charged with first-degree murder. The woman had a restraining order against her former partner at the time of her death and the man was already facing criminal harassment charges. 'Unfortunately it is the same recurring theme of 'she did everything that she can. She had a restraining order, but she was still killed.' And that's a common theme,' said Racha El-Dib, whose sister Nadia was killed by an ex-boyfriend in Calgary in 2018. El-Dib has since founded Nadia's Hope Foundation, a registered charity focused on bringing awareness to domestic abuse and violence. 'It ended up being a case of 'if I can't have you, nobody else can,' so he took her life in a very, very violent way,' El-Dib explained. 'We decided to start Nadia's foundation to remember Nadia. Not just for, unfortunately, the way that she was killed, but also who she was as a person, because she's so much more than that last 40 minutes of her life.' Voices Against Domestic Violence rally A sign from the Voices Against Domestic Violence rally on July 26, 2025. (Jordan Kanygin/CTV News Calgary) Saturday's Voices Against Domestic Violence rally was organized in part by Marigold Mioc. 'Because if these (crimes) are still happening, there's still need for discussion about these things. These women need to be remembered. These women need to be talked about because their stories have meaning. Their stories have value,' said Mioc. According to Statistics Canada, 44 per cent of women in Canada reported experiencing some type of physical, sexual or psychological abuse from a partner. 'Intimate partner violence, a lot of the time it can go unseen. But also a lot of the time it is seen in contexts where it's kind of normalized or kind of brushed to the side or glossed over. We need to make sure that we teach people and educate ourselves on the signs of intimate partner violence,' Mioc added.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Laws around intimate partner violence questioned in wake of Madisson Cobb's shooting death
Advocates for victims of domestic violence are calling on Ottawa to create a new section of the Criminal Code to help prevent future tragedies. Advocates for victims of domestic violence are calling on Ottawa to create a new section of the Criminal Code to help prevent future tragedies. Looking to Ottawa for changes to domestic violence laws The recent shooting death of Madisson Cobb in a Haysboro parkade is sparking calls for change to laws relied upon by police in cases of domestic violence. Cobb's ex-boyfriend, Devon Bradley Malik, is charged with first-degree murder. Cobb had a restraining order against Malik at the time. 'She did everything she was supposed to do. She got out. She got the protection order; she got all of it, and it still wasn't enough,' said Jordan Guildford, founder of Gems for Gems, an organization committed to awareness and fundraising for victims. 'Our laws are just not strict enough.' An ambassador with her organization is arranging a rally at Municipal Plaza at noon on Saturday. 'The whole point of it is to raise awareness about the change that needs to happen,' said Guildford. Speakers include family of victims, police and domestic violence prevention advocates. 'Everyone can do something to end this cycle,' said Guildford. Malik's family members spoke to CTV News, saying he continued to obsess over and harass Cobb. It's alleged he was even GPS-tracking her car despite the court order to stay away. He was also charged with criminal harassment before her death. Officials with Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society say criminal charges are more effective than restraining or protection orders. 'Often, when someone pursues a restraining order or protection order, they are pursuing it because it's their only avenue. But if there were coercive control legislation, there might be an avenue that actually allows the police to lay charges, which then puts that perpetrator into a different place in terms of how the system is going to watch them,' said Andrea Silverstone, Sagesse CEO. Canadian lawmakers were close to passing a law that would make 'coercive control' a criminal offence. Bill C-332 died when the election was called, and its fate is unknown until Parliament resumes in the fall. Police have announced a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Madisson Cobb. Madisson Cobb With Cobb's death now before the courts, Calgary police will not comment specifically on that case, but sent CTV News a statement, which read in part: 'While we are unable to comment on specific legislative proposals, we support any measures that enhance public safety and our ability to protect the community. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour we frequently encounter in domestic violence cases. Additional legal tools that recognize and address this form of abuse could strengthen our efforts to support victims and hold offenders accountable.' In May, the province announced 'Alberta's 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence,' outlining more than 100 targeted actions to prevent violence and support survivors. 'This includes significant investments in prevention, education and survivor services,' according to a statement sent to CTV News on Tuesday. It continued, 'Alberta is firmly committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence, and we recognize the growing concern around intimate partner violence (IPV). While some have called for IPV to be formally declared an epidemic, Alberta remains focused on leading with action rather than symbolic declarations to address the root causes and impacts of not only IPV but gender-based violence in its entirety.' The press secretary for Alberta's Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women says an announcement is expected next week on the topic. Questions about strengthening surveillance of violators of restraining orders and protection orders were not answered in time for deadline.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
A 'relentless obsession': Family of man accused of domestic murder tried to keep woman safe
A Calgary man accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend had a "relentless obsession" with her, according to his family members. Devon Malik made his first appearance on a charge of first-degree murder Wednesday, four days after he is accused of fatally shooting Madisson Cobb, 23, in a parking garage along Macleod Trail, near her workplace. On Wednesday, four members of Malik's family — two aunts and two cousins — attended his first court appearance to support Cobb and to shed light on what happened in the weeks leading up to her death. "One hundred per cent we are here to support Madisson. We're here to provide justice for Madisson. We loved her," said one of Malik's aunts. "She was so kind and all she wanted was for Devon to get help and maybe he thought that was hope." Court documents show Malik's aunts and uncles had tried, for months, to protect Cobb and to work with Malik in getting him to leave her alone. The aunts say Malik has a complicated relationship with his mother and that his father isn't in the picture. At the time of the killing, Malik was bound by three judicial orders to stay away from Cobb after she reported to both police and the courts that her ex was harassing her "non-stop." One of the aunts spoke in the lobby of the courthouse after Malik's brief appearance. Out of safety and employment concerns, CBC News will call her Melanie. Melanie says she became close with Cobb over the last seven months after the younger woman asked her for help following her breakup with Malik. At first, court records show Malik was incessantly calling, texting and leaving voice mails for Cobb, swinging between declarations of love and insults and veiled threats. 'I'm worried he might hurt you' In early February, according to Cobb's affidavit, Malik pretended to be in the hospital in an effort to get her to visit him. Then in March, he did end up in hospital, after stabbing himself in the stomach. The court documents show, at that point, Malik's aunts urged Cobb to get a restraining order. "Devon is being discharged as I type this text," wrote one of the aunts. "He's just going home. Refused psych. I'm worried he might hurt you or your mom because he's super angry." On May 30, four months after they broke up, Malik was served with the restraining order. Melanie says that happened in her living room. "It's done. You go your separate ways," Melanie says she told her nephew. But on June 1, Malik was charged criminally with harassment and stalking. His release conditions included a judge's order to have no contact with Cobb and to stay away from her. 'All she wanted was to move on' In a handwritten affidavit filed at the Calgary Courts Centre, Cobb detailed "non-stop" contact from Malik. She told a judge she lived "in fear every day from him." The restraining order was supposed to be in place until June 2026. "This needs to be a call to system needs to change. Domestic violence isn't taken as seriously as it should," said Melanie. "This was a 23-year-old thriving young lady, all she wanted was to move on with her life." 'Infectious passion for life' Cobb, who lived in Okotoks, worked for Lasik MD after graduating from SAIT with a diploma to work as an ophthalmic assistant. Her obituary described her as having "an infectious passion for life." A favourite pastime was cheering on her dad and brother — a hockey player and a hockey coach — at the rink. "These moments became cherished memories she held close," reads Cobb's obituary. On Wednesday, the Okotoks Oilers Jr. A Hockey Club and its Minor Hockey Association issued a joint statement. "It is with profound sadness that [we] mourn the tragic loss of Madisson Cobb," reads the statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to her family — Brad, Jackie and Hunter — as they navigate this unimaginable loss … today, we stand with [Brad] and his family, not just as hockey organizations but as a united community, grieving alongside and offering our unwavering support to a family facing an unthinkable tragedy."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
A 'relentless obsession': Family of man accused of domestic murder tried to keep woman safe
A Calgary man accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend had a "relentless obsession" with her, according to his family members. Devon Malik made his first appearance on a charge of first-degree murder Wednesday, four days after he is accused of fatally shooting Madisson Cobb, 23, in a parking garage along Macleod Trail, near her workplace. On Wednesday, four members of Malik's family — two aunts and two cousins — attended his first court appearance to support Cobb and to shed light on what happened in the weeks leading up to her death. "One hundred per cent we are here to support Madisson. We're here to provide justice for Madisson. We loved her," said one of Malik's aunts. "She was so kind and all she wanted was for Devon to get help and maybe he thought that was hope." Court documents show Malik's aunts and uncles had tried, for months, to protect Cobb and to work with Malik in getting him to leave her alone. The aunts say Malik has a complicated relationship with his mother and that his father isn't in the picture. At the time of the killing, Malik was bound by three judicial orders to stay away from Cobb after she reported to both police and the courts that her ex was harassing her "non-stop." One of the aunts spoke in the lobby of the courthouse after Malik's brief appearance. Out of safety and employment concerns, CBC News will call her Melanie. Melanie says she became close with Cobb over the last seven months after the younger woman asked her for help following her breakup with Malik. At first, court records show Malik was incessantly calling, texting and leaving voice mails for Cobb, swinging between declarations of love and insults and veiled threats. 'I'm worried he might hurt you' In early February, according to Cobb's affidavit, Malik pretended to be in the hospital in an effort to get her to visit him. Then in March, he did end up in hospital, after stabbing himself in the stomach. The court documents show, at that point, Malik's aunts urged Cobb to get a restraining order. "Devon is being discharged as I type this text," wrote one of the aunts. "He's just going home. Refused psych. I'm worried he might hurt you or your mom because he's super angry." On May 30, four months after they broke up, Malik was served with the restraining order. Melanie says that happened in her living room. "It's done. You go your separate ways," Melanie says she told her nephew. But on June 1, Malik was charged criminally with harassment and stalking. His release conditions included a judge's order to have no contact with Cobb and to stay away from her. 'All she wanted was to move on' In a handwritten affidavit filed at the Calgary Courts Centre, Cobb detailed "non-stop" contact from Malik. She told a judge she lived "in fear every day from him." The restraining order was supposed to be in place until June 2026. "This needs to be a call to system needs to change. Domestic violence isn't taken as seriously as it should," said Melanie. "This was a 23-year-old thriving young lady, all she wanted was to move on with her life." 'Infectious passion for life' Cobb, who lived in Okotoks, worked for Lasik MD after graduating from SAIT with a diploma to work as an ophthalmic assistant. Her obituary described her as having "an infectious passion for life." A favourite pastime was cheering on her dad and brother — a hockey player and a hockey coach — at the rink. "These moments became cherished memories she held close," reads Cobb's obituary. On Wednesday, the Okotoks Oilers Jr. A Hockey Club and its Minor Hockey Association issued a joint statement. "It is with profound sadness that [we] mourn the tragic loss of Madisson Cobb," reads the statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to her family — Brad, Jackie and Hunter — as they navigate this unimaginable loss … today, we stand with [Brad] and his family, not just as hockey organizations but as a united community, grieving alongside and offering our unwavering support to a family facing an unthinkable tragedy."
CTV News
7 days ago
- CTV News
Calgary man accused in Madisson Cobb murder appears in court, charge against second man surfaces
Police have announced a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Madisson Cobb. Calgary murder victim Madisson Cobb was dealing with harassment charges involving two men prior to her death, according to documents obtained by CTV News. Eric Mason-Ward, 26, was charged on June 27 with criminal harassment of Cobb on June 1. The details are unclear, but CTV has learned that man is a friend of Cobb's ex-boyfriend, Devon Bradley Malik, 26, who is now charged with Cobb's first-degree murder and appeared in court on Wednesday. Malik was previously charged with two counts of harassment of the young woman for incidents dating back to May 30 and June 1. Cobb was shot to death in a Macleod Trail parking garage on July 19. Cobb and Malik split in January, and in June, the courts ordered Malik to not go within 100 metres of Cobb's home or workplace. Court documents obtained by CTV News detail Cobb's alleged harassment by Malik. In them, Cobb said Malik had a gun and that RCMP told her they couldn't find it. Malik appeared in court Wednesday on both murder and harassment charges involving Cobb. Devon Bradley Malik, 26, is now charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of Madisson Cobb. Devon Bradley Malik, 26, charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of Madisson Cobb, appeared in court Wednesday. Police said Mason-Ward and Malik are known to one another, but said Mason-Ward was not involved in Cobb's murder.
