Toronto Police have laid a first-degree murder charge against a 34-year-old man in connection with a fatal house fire last month that claimed the life of an 84-year-old woman.
Charges Laid in Avenue Road Blaze
According to authorities, officers responded to a residential fire near Avenue Road and Boswell Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. on November 15, 2025. Firefighters discovered the victim, Giovanna Balestrieri, 84, inside the home. She was transported to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
Police allege the accused intentionally set the fire while Balestrieri was alone inside the residence. On Friday, Curtis Leander McLeod, 34, of Toronto was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. This incident marks Toronto's 36th homicide of 2025.
Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Mississauga Storm Sewer Property Dump
In a separate investigation, York Regional Police are seeking the public's help to identify a suspect involved in dumping a substantial amount of personal property. The incident occurred in Mississauga in the area of Old Burnhamthorpe Road and Burnhamthorpe Road.
Police say the property was discovered in a storm sewer earlier this week. Investigators determined it was dumped around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, by an unidentified male.
The suspect is described as a white male, 55 to 60 years old, with a medium build. He was driving a black Dodge Ram pickup truck with an extended cab. Police have released an image of the suspect and vehicle and are working to determine how he came into possession of the items.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Integrated Property Crime Task Force or Crime Stoppers.
Brampton Driver Faces Multiple Charges
In a related news brief, Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 22-year-old Brampton driver with ten offences following a dangerous incident on Highway 410. Police allege the driver, who was impaired, fled from an officer at a speed of 193 km/h in a 100 km/h zone south of Queen Street in Brampton.
The driver faces four Criminal Code charges and six under the Provincial Offences Act. The OPP stated, "Impaired driving + extreme speed = a deadly combination. This reckless behavior puts everyone at risk." The vehicle was impounded and the driver's licence suspended.
