Support pours in for family of woman killed in Ajax

A fundraiser has been set up to support the two boys who lost their mother to suspected domestic violence in Ajax last weekend.

Durham Regional Police responded to a suburban home in the Hillman Drive and Shoal Point Road area shortly after 11 p.m. on March 30.

There they found Jennifer Polak, 45, suffering “obvious signs of trauma.” First responders attempted CPR but were unsuccessful. Pollack was pronounced dead at the scene.

They found a man at the scene, Kyle Severin, 35, who they since identified as Polack’s boyfriend. He was arrested as a suspect in Polack’s death. He’s been charged with second-degree murder and remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

Polak is survived by her two sons, Liam and Brennan, who are now in their father Shaun’s care.

“Intimate partner violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. It knows no boundaries and can impact people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds,” police said.

“Jenn Polak was a kind, caring, beautiful person whose death has devastated everyone who knew her. She brought sunshine into the lives of everyone she met,” her family wrote, “She was the devoted mother of two young men whom she adored. They are absorbing the news of her death with the support of their father.”

“Her grieving parents, sister, grandmother, uncles, aunts and extended family cannot believe that she is gone,” they continued, “Those who knew Jenn through her work will remember that she had a vocation and a passion for working with young children.”

Later, the family set up a Gofundme fundraiser to set up a trust fund for Polak’s sons. The fundraiser has already raised $5,500 of its $20,000 goal from 73 donations.

“I am making sure everything is done properly and through the advice and lead of a lawyer to make sure everything goes to our sons,” Shaun wrote, “We appreciate all the kind words everybody has to say about Jennifer and we the family do appreciate all the love and support.”

“As you can imagine my son’s Liam and Brennan and I and the entire Polak and Dicks families are devastated by what has transpired,” he continued, “I would encourage everyone to remember Jennifer for the beautiful person she was and the big heart she had and the excellent mother she was to our sons and try not to focus on what’s happened but try and remember all the good things about Jennifer.”