New suspect charged in the case of woman found dead in Vaughan house fire
York Regional Police have charged a new suspect in connection with the death of a woman in a house fire in Vaughan last week.
Police were called to the area of Parktree Drive and Lucena Crescent on Sept. 23 to assist Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services battling a blaze.
Officers arrived to locate a woman inside the home unresponsive. She was transported to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A subsequent autopsy determined the cause of her death was stab wounds.
Police later identified her as 64-year-old Naheed Askaryar.
On Tuesday, police said they arrested and charged a 71-year-old man with first-degree murder and arson endangering life.
However, due to new information from the community, police said investigators uncovered additional evidence, resulting in the charges against the 71-year-old being withdrawn.
Also, the new evidence led to the arrest of a new suspect, identified as 43-year-old Ahmad Shekeb Askarzada, police said.
Askarzada has been charged with first-degree murder and arson endangering life.
Police continue to ask anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.