The rural community of Clearwater, B.C. is reeling in the aftermath of a killing that left three young children without a mother.

Angela Wilson’s body was found inside her home Monday morning by Mounties dispatched to check on her well-being.

Her estranged common-law husband Ian Scott was arrested that afternoon following a seven-hour standoff at his separate residence, where he had taken the couple’s three kids.

The children, aged six, four and two, were released to authorities during the standoff. None were physically harmed.

Clearwater Mayor John Harwood said the community of roughly 2,300 people is shocked and saddened by the tragedy, but has turned its focus toward helping the kids.

“The children have lost now a mom and a dad, and so that all has to be rebuilt,” Harwood said. “I understand there’s some relatives on their way here now.”

Extra staff and counsellors have also been brought in to help students at the elementary school cope with the tragedy.

Residents identified Wilson as a nurse at a local hospital, while Scott runs a small construction company in town. Sources who work nearby told CTV News he was a likeable person who didn’t take his recent breakup with Wilson well.

The Southeast District Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation into Wilson’s death.

Police have not released a potential cause, and no charges have been laid.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Kent Molgat