A married couple from Toronto's Liberty Village has been found guilty in the death of filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, following a dispute over barbecue fumes. Khoa Tran, 36, was convicted of second-degree murder, while his wife Isabelle Nguyen, 30, was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact and committing an indignity to a body. The verdict was delivered late Wednesday evening, according to CityNews.
Discovery of the Remains
Habib's decomposing body was discovered by a garbage collector on June 8, 2023, inside a trash compactor at his condo complex. The remains were wrapped in a bundle of towels and blankets sealed with duct tape, with two notes attached warning that the bundle was heavy and contained sharp materials, urging finders not to open it.
Deteriorating Relationship
Court proceedings, as reported by the Toronto Sun's Michele Mandel, revealed that Tran and Habib initially had a friendly relationship, often chatting and sharing beers at their shared complex on 28 Western Battery Rd. Tran lived in a townhouse, while Habib resided in a condo unit directly above. However, their relationship soured over time, with Habib frequently complaining about fumes from Tran's barbecue.
Tran's Testimony
During the trial, Tran testified that on the morning of June 6, 2023, he heard screams and sounds of a struggle coming from Habib's unit, followed by what sounded like someone falling down the stairs. He claimed he checked on his sleeping wife, looked outside without seeing anything, and then continued working as a software developer. He admitted he did not call 911 and told a roommate the next day that Habib was simply making a movie.
However, cross-examination revealed that a neighbor testified to seeing Tran exiting Habib's unit on June 7, 2023, and locking the door—an action Tran denied.
Sentencing Scheduled
A sentencing hearing is set for September 9. Tran faces an automatic life sentence for second-degree murder. Nguyen's lawyers have proposed a sentence of 18 months to six years for her role. Both Tran and Nguyen have had their bail revoked.
