Montreal, Quebec 2026 Homicide Victim List

A woman found dead inside a downtown Montreal apartment is being investigated as the city’s 19th homicide of the year, according to police.

Montreal officers were called to an apartment near René-Lévesque Boulevard and St. Christophe Street at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a request to check on a resident.

Police discovered 45-year-old Leila Ben Salem, unconscious inside the apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The circumstances surrounding her death were initially considered suspicious. Police later confirmed overnight that the case was being investigated as a homicide.

According to Global News Salem was on a work-related Zoom call when she was attacked.

No arrests have been announced, and investigators continue to work to determine what happened and the circumstances leading to the woman’s death.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to contact Montreal police.

Update: Police say 33-year-old Youcef Moussaoui, was taken into custody on October 15th in downtown Montreal’s Ville-Marie borough.

He is scheduled to appear in Montreal court Friday, October 16th, where he is expected to face a first-degree murder charge.

Police said the homicide was not linked to intimate partner violence. Investigators added that evidence collected during the probe, including the suspected motive, will be disclosed as the case moves through the courts.