Toronto: A 30-year-old Indian woman, identified as Himanshi Khurana, was found murdered inside a residence in Toronto. The murder suspect has been identified and nationwide manhunt launched, authorities have said.
The Indian Embassy in Canada has confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the slain woman’s family.
The Toronto Police Service and local media have claimed that the suspect was known to the victim. However, the nature of their relationship has not been revealed, as reported by News18.
According to the police, officers first learnt of the case after responding to a missing person call on Friday. The call was made from the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area, where Khurana was last seen.
An investigation into her disappearance was immediately launched, the police said. Officers located the missing woman’s body early the next morning, the police said.
Around 6.30 am, on Saturday, the police found Khurana’s body inside a residence in the same area where she had been reported missing. The authorities classified the death as a homicide.
The victim was later identified and her photograph released to the public as part of the investigation. Details about the accused were released two days after the recovery of the body.
Abdul Ghafoori, 32, also of Toronto, has been identified as the accused and is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for first-degree murder, the police said.
The suspect’s image has been released and efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him.
The Indian Consulate in Toronto said it was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the murder of Himanshi Khurana, describing her as a young Indian national.
The Consulate conveyed its deepest condolences to Himanshi’s family and said it has been closely engaged with the case over the past few days.
According to the embassy’s statement, the Consulate has been in constant touch with the matter and is extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family in close coordination with local Canadian authorities.
The Indian mission added that it continues to work with authorities as the homicide investigation remains ongoing and efforts continue to locate the accused.
