The 2025 Toronto Homicide Victim List is available here

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at approximately 11:08 p.m., police were called to a residential fire in the area of Avenue Road and Boswell Avenue.

Investigators allege that a suspect went to the home and deliberately set it ablaze. At the time of the fire, 84-year-old Giovanna Balestrieri was alone inside. She was located by firefighters and transported to hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

The victim has been identified as Giovanna Balestrieri of Toronto. This incident is being treated as the city’s 36th homicide of 2025.

Update: Toronto police announced that Curtis Leander McLeod, 34, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477)