The 2025 Ontario Homicide Victim List is available here

On the afternoon of June 11, 2025, emergency crews and Durham Regional Police were called to the scene of a house fire near Primrose Court and Fairport Road in Pickering.

Inside the home, they discovered the body of a 69-year-old woman who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following a post-mortem examination, the case was officially handed over to the Homicide Unit, marking Durham Region’s third homicide of the year.

On June 17, police arrested 34-year-old Sandra Coutinho of Pickering in connection with the case. She now faces a charge of Accessory After the Fact to Murder and has been held pending a bail hearing.

Authorities have identified another suspect, and the investigation is ongoing. However, police believe the incident was isolated and that there is no current risk to public safety.

Update July 5th: Elston COUTINHO, age 34, is wanted for: Second Degree Murder

Update: On Friday, August 1, 2025, members of the DRPS homicide unit arrested 34-year-old Elston COUTINHO, and charged him with Second Degree Murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. French of the Homicide Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5421.