From now until Dec. 31, CTV Kitchener is counting down the top 10 local stories of 2012. Catch the countdown each night on CTV News at Six.

At number 9 are the top four murder cases we have covered in and around Waterloo Region.

Family murder-suicide in Kitchener

Back in February, police discovered the bodies of 38-year-old Joanna Nowakowska and her 4-year-old daughter Bianca from a Kitchener townhome.

“The mother did take the life of her child, and then died of self inflicted wounds,” said Inspector Kevin Thaler at the time.

The murder-suicide became Waterloo Region’s first homicide of 2012, devastating both the young girl’s classmates and her family. In a statement to CTV News, Nowakowska’s older daughter said Bianca was a “really happy and loving girl.”

Belmont Avenue shooting

In September, emergency crews rushed to an apartment complex on Belmont Avenue in Kitchener after 25-year-old Adam Jones was gunned down in the middle of a parking lot during the supper hour.

A few weeks later, police arrested and charged 20-year-old Jerome Phillips with accessory after the fact to murder. Investigators say they believed a potential drug transaction was behind the shooting.

In October, 22-year-old Tyrone Wint, a Kitchener rap artist who went by the stage name ‘K.T.’, was arrested along with 21-year-old Kadeem Gabriel. Both now stand co-accused with first-degree murder. Police say there were many witnesses who assisted with information in the case.

Elm Ridge Drive shooting

On December 1st, 20-year-old Devane Campbell of Brantford was shot and killed at a Kitchener housing complex late at night.

“When he was young, nobody ever said anything bad about Devane,” Campbell’s mother said to CTV News at the time.

Police say they are still hunting for multiple suspects and continue to seek the public’s help.

Murder in Milverton

It was a crime no one ever imagined could take place in a small town like Milverton.

But in early December, 17-year-old Nicole Wagler was killed and 22-year-old Tyler Baker was sent to hospital with life threatening injuries from gunfire.

Police charged 23-year-old Michael Schweitzer, also of Milverton, with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

“For all involved, it’s a terrible tragedy and our prayers and support are with each and every one of the kids and the parents families,” said Milverton resident Denise Schiavone at the time.