Canadian professor charged with abducting and raping 80-year-old grandmother with Alzheimer's at Bahamas resort

80-year-old mother (above) and sister were on a short vacation together in the Bahamas when the attack unfolded

New details have surfaced regarding the disturbing case involving a Canadian tourist charged with abducting and sexually assaulting an 80-year-old grandmother with Alzheimer's at a luxurious resort in the Bahamas.

Gordon Wilkie, 61, hailing from New Waterford, Nova Scotia, was apprehended and charged with rape following the harrowing incident on January 28th at the Warwick Hotel Paradise Island Bahamas.

Available information solidifies Wilkie's identity as a faculty member at Nova Scotia Community College, specializing in renewable energy. After his arrest, he has been placed on leave from his position.

Gordon Wilkie, 61, of New Waterford, Nova Scotia, was arrested and charged with rape

Wilkie is being held without bail in the Bahamas

Expressing profound dismay, the victim's son, David Ahrens, conveyed in a phone interview the sheer horror of the situation, stating, "It's really hard to find exactly the right words, because in our minds, it is just beyond heinous. It's just the most horrendous scenario."

In an unexpected turn, US Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Tom Justice, coincidentally lodging at the same hotel, emerged as a heroic figure in the ordeal. He actively participated in the search for the abducted woman and apprehended Wilkie until Bahamian authorities could take over.

This alleged assault occurs amidst a backdrop of heightened safety concerns in the Bahamas, underscored by a recent US State Department travel advisory alerting to an increase in murders, as well as allegations of rape against staff at Pirate's Cove beach resort on Grand Bahama by two Kentucky mothers.

Canadian realtor David Ahrens with his 80-year-old mother (with him above)

Currently detained without bail in the Bahamas, Wilkie's legal representation has yet to provide comment on the charges.

Stacey Baillie, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Community College, acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings involving an employee, refraining from specific commentary due to privacy regulations. Baillie emphasized the college's protocol to place employees facing serious criminal charges on leave pending internal review.

Wilkie, known for operating a solar-power installation company and serving as an instructor in renewable energy at NSCC's Dartmouth campus, was profiled in a 2021 CBC News interview.

Remarkably, the victim in this case also hails from Canada, with no prior association with the accused beyond coincidental resort occupancy during their respective vacations.

Ahrens, opting to withhold his mother's name while publicly sharing her photo, advocates for 'full justice' for her and aims to raise awareness regarding the vulnerability of family members. He initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical and legal expenses.

Ahrens recounted how his mother, accompanied by his sister, experienced the assault during a vacation in the Bahamas. Despite diligent supervision, the abduction occurred suddenly when they became separated in an elevator.

On the final night of their stay, Wilkie, a stranger to the family, inserted himself into their social circle, raising initial suspicions. After dining together, Wilkie coincidentally joined them in the elevator, where the abduction transpired as the doors closed, separating the mother from her family.