Court documents obtained by CTV News suggest the couple killed in Sunday's massive explosion had a volatile relationship.
In April of 2009, documents show 46-year-old Dwayne Poirier and 47-year-old Jeanne Cathleen Heard had filed emergency protection orders against each other.
"He has hit me," a statement from an emergency protection order hearing on April 11, 2009 read. "He has thrown me down on the floor, he has pulled my hair, he has choked me," it went on to say.
In 2007, Poirier alleges he was being abused," Just would like her out of my house because I'm in fear of my life."
And family court documents dating back ten years ago, Poirier's ex-wife Charlotte Poirier claimed he threatened her.
Charlotte Poirier stated, "He says, 'Your f-ing day is coming. I'll kill you. You'll be six feet under if I have my way.'"
It appears Heard did try to get help at one point. She is quoted in court documents as saying, "I had police in my home saying that they've seen many abused women and I don't look like an abused woman."
Edmonton police say they are now able to confirm that three of the four people whose bodies were discovered after the massive blast in north Edmonton, were in fact, victims of a homicide.
Police say Heard's death is considered to be a homicide, but the cause of death is subject to further testing by the medical examiner. Poirier's death has been ruled non-criminal, and the cause of death is also still trying to be determined.
Craig Huber and Brad Winter were also found dead in a house located next door to the one that exploded. Police say those deaths have been ruled a homicide.
The explosion occurred around 1:20 p.m. Sunday afternoon at a home located at 18011-91 A Street, which land title records show is owned by Poirier and Heard.
Police won't say whether Poirier set the blast. Investigators are still not confirming or denying media reports that Heard's body was found wrapped and bound. A source tells CTV News it's believed the house was full of a mixture of propane and natural gas when it blew up.
The blast destroyed dozens of homes. From the outside, many homes appear to look OK, but CTV News has been told the structural damage inside is so intense, up to ten homes may have to be demolished.
Friday was the first time many residents have been able to get closer to the scene.
"It's not like you can just put some nails and some boards in and move on, you can't, it's gone," said resident Amanda Marques. "You can't get back your grandma's stuff and you can't get back the things that you have from people that died, you can't replace that."
Damage is pegged at $3.5 million. Officials say they should have a better idea of the extent of damage by early next week.
With files from Bill Fortier and Sonia Sunger
