The ex-partner of a mother of two killed Tuesday in Saint Hyacinthe has formally been charged with first-degree murder.

Maxime Labrecque, 34, was charged from his hospital bed Wednesday morning in the death of Isabelle Lavoie, 31. He faces the murder charge and one count of breaking and entering. When police arrived on the scene, they found that the glass on the back door of the apartment had been shattered.

Lavoie and Labrecque recently separated, and had two children who are six and eight years old.

Neighbours said the couple was known to fight. The suspect was seen by neighbours driving by Lavoie’s home after the two broke up a month ago.

The two children were not present at the time of the attack.

Labrecque is currently behind bars and returns to court on Oct. 3 for a bail hearing.