Final Suspect in Musitano Mob Hit Arrested in Mexico After 8-Year Manhunt
After nearly a decade evading authorities, one of the men accused in the high-profile murders of Hamilton mob scion Angelo Musitano and innocent bystander Mila Barberi has been apprehended. Daniel Tomassetti, a suspected hitman, was arrested in Mexico City in August 2025, according to reports from the Hamilton Spectator. His capture marks the end of an extensive international manhunt that began following the brazen 2017 killings, which ignited a violent underworld conflict in Southern Ontario.
A Fugitive's Flight to Mexico
Tomassetti fled to Cancun, Mexico, on January 27, 2018, just as homicide detectives were closing in on him. Police surveillance had been monitoring him, but he managed to escape by leaving his phone at home and having an accomplice drive him to the airport. Authorities believed he was hiding in Mexico, similar to other alleged Canadian criminals seeking refuge abroad. Tomassetti had connections in the country, where his alleged co-conspirator, Michael Cudmore, the suspected triggerman, had also fled.
In 2023, Tomassetti was listed among the top 25 most wanted criminals in Canada through the Bolo program, highlighting the urgency of his capture. The delay in announcing his arrest, which occurred months ago, remains unexplained by officials.
Legal Battles and Extradition Fears
Tomassetti is currently fighting extradition back to Canada, citing fears for his life if he returns. Police sources indicate that his family has expressed concerns about his safety, suggesting he is terrified of potential retaliation. He faces serious charges, including two counts each of first-degree murder and attempted murder for his alleged role in the plot against the Musitano crime family.
The murders were part of a power struggle that triggered three years of retaliatory violence in the criminal underworld, culminating in the daylight assassination of mob boss Pasquale “Fat Pat” Musitano in July 2020. Canada and Mexico have an extradition treaty, but the timeline for Tomassetti's return is uncertain, pending legal proceedings.
A Trail of Violence and Death
The case has been marked by tragedy and violence beyond the initial killings. Other individuals connected to the murders have met grim fates in Mexico. Michael Cudmore was found dead in a burned-out car on a rural roadside in June 2020, while Daniele Ranieri, another implicated figure from Bolton, was discovered bound and murdered in a ditch in 2018. There had been speculation that Tomassetti might have suffered a similar end, but his arrest confirms he survived the dangerous environment.
Tomassetti allegedly recruited a high school friend into the criminal plot, though the friend was later released after claiming ignorance of the murders. Investigators have linked Tomassetti's phone to individuals suspected of ordering the hits, though these masterminds have never been publicly named.
As authorities work to bring Tomassetti to justice, the case underscores the far-reaching impact of organized crime and the challenges of international law enforcement cooperation. The community awaits further developments in this long-running saga that has left a trail of bloodshed across borders.
