Vancouver’s LGBTQ-plus community held a vigil Sunday night for the murdered and missing gay men in Toronto – the victims of alleged serial killer, Bruce McArthur.
McArthur, a landscaper by profession, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, after police say they recovered the dismembered remains of at least three people from the backyard of a residence.
Vancouver hasn’t been immune from hate crimes against LGBTQ people. One man was murdered and another was severely beaten in 2017. However, members of the community say won’t let the fear dictate their lives.
The vigil’s organizer, Len Tooley, moved from Toronto to Vancouver a few months before charges against McArthur were laid, and thought the city needed a time to mourn and grieve, in a tragedy that hits close to home.
“There are some people in our community who are more marginalized, and when they go missing, and they’re more likely to go missing, those cases can go unsolved for a long time which they did in Toronto. It was partly an emotional opportunity to grieve, but also a time for us to remember as a community that we need to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized and value their lives.” – Len Tooley, Organizer
Some members of the community believe events such as this vigil is a way for them to take back control when faced with a tragedy.
Toronto Police said the remains have not yet been identified.
Majeed Kayhan, 58; Dean Lisowick, 47; Soroush Marmudi, 50; Selim Esen, 44 and Andrew Kinsman, 49
McArthur has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the disappearance of these men:
Majeed Kayhan, 58, of Toronto, reported missing in October 2012Soroush Mahmudi, 50, of Toronto, reported missing in August 2015Dean Lisowick, 47, of no fixed addressSelim Esen, 44, reported missing from the area of Yonge Street and Bloor Street.Andrew Kinsman, 49, reported missing from the area of Parliament Street and Winchester Street.
Police say there are nearly 30 more properties that are under their radar where McArthur provided landscaping services and may have possibly used to cover the alleged crimes.
“We believe there are more remains at some of these properties that we are working to recover…We have seized quite a few planters from around the city and we will continue to do that. There are at least two sites that we do want to excavate where people might be buried.” – Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga, Toronto Police
Investigators continue to search McArthur’s residence at 95 Thorncliffe Park. Since August 2017, members of the Toronto Police Service have been investigating these cases, under the task force name of Project Prism.
📷Homicide Squad✔@TPSHomicidePls RT Bruce McArthur charged 5x 1st Degree Murder~Victims: Selim Esen~Andrew Kinsman~Majeed Kayhan~Soroush Mahmudi~Dean Lisowick. Body parts discovered in planters at job sites suspect worked at as landscaper~Info call police 416-808-2021 ~Anonymous Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 719:23 AM - Jan 29, 2018 · Toronto, Ontario
(With files from Aaron Schulze)
Comments