Police investigated the death for 14 months, consulting various experts and utilizing its own Cyber and Forensics Unit and Forensic Crime Scenes Unit, before concluding the death was a result of an accidental fall down the stairs. Despite this conclusion, questions remained.
In 2020, the case was submitted to Netflix crime show Unsolved Mysteries with the hope that renewed public attention may bring new developments, or answer any unsolved questions.
“As homicide investigators, it is our duty to seek closure and provide a victim’s family with answers, without a shadow of doubt. In cases where questions remain, we will do everything in our power to uncover the truth,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the CPS Homicide Unit
Initial investigation showed signs of violence
In October of 2015, Calgary police were called to Antoni’s home in the 0-100 block of Castledale Way N.E., where her husband, Lee Antoni, discovered her body Monday afternoon after returning from a weekend out of town.
Initial investigation deemed the death a medical collapse, but police later confirmed they believed the death to be suspicious due to a violent scene laid out in the home.
Sgt Trent Petersen with CPS was the patrol supervisor the day of the 911 call, and was the first police officer on scene. He is featured in the Netflix show, recounting his experience responding to the call.
Upon entry into the house, Petersen noticed a broken piggy bank, and a significant amount of blood. He said Antoni appeared to have been struck in the head by something that caused “a significant injury to the right portion of her face.”
“This was the bloodiest scene I’d ever walked in on,” he said, describing it as “gruesome.”
Police say there had been no history of domestic violence in the home, and Antoni’s husband cooperated with investigators.
Officers maintained that Antoni’s husband was not a suspect in the weeks following her death.
The RCMP Behavioural Sciences Unit was also called in to review evidence and create a timeline.
Investigators worked with Antoni’s family, friends and colleagues, attempting to piece together the days leading up to her death. Officers were hoping to discover who she had corresponded with most recently and what was said.
Antoni’s husband was the last known person to speak with her, having spoken over the phone the Saturday evening before discovering her body Monday afternoon.
In an interview for Unsolved Mysteries, he said the phone cut off mid-call and he wasn’t sure if she dropped it or if the battery died. He texted her several times Saturday and Sunday with no reply, but said he thought she was busy and would call him later.
“You don’t think of the worst,” he said.
Police revealed Antoni’s time of death to be Saturday evening, between 7 and 7:30 p.m.
In December of 2016, Calgary police ruled the death of Amanda Antoni accidental as a result of a fall down the stairs, despite earlier reports of police finding evidence of violence.
– With files from Postmedia