Suspect in cold case homicide arrested in El Salvador: Toronto police
Juan Antonio Avalos is pictured in this photo from 2004. (Toronto Police Service handout)
A man wanted in connection with a homicide in Toronto nearly 20 years ago was arrested in El Salvador on Thursday, Toronto police say.
A homicide investigation was launched on Aug. 31, 2004 after officers who were responding to a missing person call near Finch Avenue West and Weston Road found the body of 26-year-old Rosaura Tolentino Ramos inside a residence in the area. According to police, Ramos was suffering from obvious stab wounds and was pronounced dead on scene.
A suspect in the murder was identified and on Oct. 1, 2004 and a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.
“An International Red Notice was issued by Interpol at the time, to alert police about the wanted male,” Toronto police said in a news release issued Friday.
Upon further investigation, police said they discovered that the accused fled to El Salvador immediately after the homicide. At the time, there was no extradition agreement in place between Canada and El Salvador, police noted.
“In February of 2024 the El Salvadorian government commenced an extradition hearing for the accused in which it was determined that he should be extradited to face charges in Canada,” the news release continued.
On Thursday, members of the Toronto Police Service’s homicide and missing person unit’s cold case section flew to San Slavador, El Salvador and brought the accused back to Canada.
The suspect has been identified by police as 63-year-old Juan Antonio Avalos and investigators confirmed that he was the victim's husband. He has been charged with one count of second-degree murder and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Friday morning.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PMO staffers to meet Monday as Trudeau's announcement looms
As an announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his political future looms, CTV News has confirmed that staffers in the Prime Minister's Office are meeting on Monday.
W5 INVESTIGATES
W5 INVESTIGATES One Canadian couple's fight against a contractor who defrauded them
Pull into the driveway at John and Julie Ridley's house and you'll notice large patches of red siding are missing from their house and garage. What was supposed to be a dream retirement home for the couple is now a daily reminder of what went wrong.
Canada closes 'flagpoling' loophole for temporary visa holders
Temporary residents of Canada will no longer be able to utilize the flagpoling process to initiate work or study permits, following a ban from the Canada Border Services Agency.
opinion
opinion What you need to know about filing your taxes in 2025
This year, there are several changes to be aware of when filing your 2024 taxes. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew outlines the key changes to keep in mind as the tax deadline approaches.
Visitors to the U.K. from 48 countries must now apply and pay a fee before travel
The U.K. will introduce its ETA system on Jan. 8. ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation, is a new digital registration scheme for travelers who don’t need a visa to enter the U.K.
'The Brutalist,' 'Emilia Perez' triumph at Golden Globes
Brady Corbet's 215-minute postwar epic 'The Brutalist' and Jacques Audiard's Spanish language, genre-shifting trans musical 'Emilia Perez' won top honours at the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday.
The Vivienne, star of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK', dies at 32
British reality show 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' winner James Lee Williams, aged 32, popularly known as The Vivienne, has died.
Driver who entered Canada 'without stopping' at B.C. border crossing arrested: police
A man who illegally blew through the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Sunday morning has been arrested, according to authorities.
France's former president Sarkozy stands trial over alleged campaign funding by Libya's Gadhafi
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's trial started on Monday over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Montreal
-
These Quebec border crossings will have new hours of operation tomorrow
The hours of operation at 10 Quebec border crossings will change as of 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025.
-
Quebec City tops tourist destinations in Canada, Montreal third
Quebec City took the number one spot as Canada’s top tourist destination over the holiday season with Montreal coming in third.
-
Boston Fleet rallies for 3-2 shootout victory over Montreal Victoire
Aerin Frankel allowed just one goal in a shootout and the Boston Fleet rallied to beat the Montreal Victoire 3-2 as the Professional Women's Hockey League took its Takeover Tour to Climate Pledge Arena.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Ottawa launched 9 new photo radar cameras in November: Here's how many tickets each camera issued in the first month
The City of Ottawa turned on nine new photo radar cameras on city streets in November, as the city continues to expand the automated speed enforcement camera program in community safety zones, school zones and high-speed locations.
-
WATCH
WATCH Woman critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera
Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking and damaging a hydro pole.
Northern Ontario
-
W5 INVESTIGATESW5 INVESTIGATES One Canadian couple's fight against a contractor who defrauded them
Pull into the driveway at John and Julie Ridley's house and you'll notice large patches of red siding are missing from their house and garage. What was supposed to be a dream retirement home for the couple is now a daily reminder of what went wrong.
-
Driver charged after asleep at the wheel complaint
A traffic complaint about a man asleep at the wheel at an intersection has resulted in impaired driving charges being laid against a northern Ontario man.
-
Alleged drunk damages property in northern Ontario: OPP
An intoxicated man from northern Ontario has been charged with damaging property.
Kitchener
-
PMO staffers to meet Monday as Trudeau's announcement looms
As an announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his political future looms, CTV News has confirmed that staffers in the Prime Minister's Office are meeting on Monday.
-
Do you have a post-holiday cold? What you need to know about RSV and all the other respiratory viruses circulating
Are you feeling a bit under the weather coming out of the holiday season? You might just be battling the common cold but it could also be one of a myriad of other respiratory infections that are circulating at this time of year, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
-
opinion
opinion What you need to know about filing your taxes in 2025
This year, there are several changes to be aware of when filing your 2024 taxes. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew outlines the key changes to keep in mind as the tax deadline approaches.
London
-
Londoners told to shelter in place, weapons complaint closed Highway 401
Both directions of Highway 401 were closed on Sunday evening as London police and OPP investigated a weapons complaint.
-
Flood watch issued for West Grey
The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) has issued a flood watch for the Municipality of West Grey.
-
Snowy beginning to the week for London and area
The London area will see a snowy beginning to the week following a messy weekend for some parts of Midwestern Ontario.
Windsor
-
'Crawl bearers' carry mosaic bar top 2 km to new home
In a move signaling the beginning of a new era, staff and patrons carried Phog Lounge’s approximately 400-pound mosaic bar top through the downtown.
-
Spitfires drop Niagara in overtime to keep win streak alive
For the second consecutive game, the Windsor Spitfires managed to erase an early deficit to keep their win streak alive.
-
Two armed robbery suspects at large, second arrested
The Windsor Police Service has arrested a second of four armed robbery suspects. Two remain at large.
Barrie
-
Inmate on the lam tracked by K-9 unit
Beaver Creek Institute in Gravenhurst realized an inmate had left the premises.
-
Snowmobiler seriously injured in Saturday crash
A snowmobiler reportedly suffered serious injuries after losing control on a trail in Tay Township Saturday afternoon.
-
County tree and waste collection after the holidays
Christmas trees and garbage will be collected during the coming weeks.
Winnipeg
-
'Absolutely devastating': Southern Manitoba golf course clubhouse burns for second time in 4 years
A golf course clubhouse in Morden, Man. went up in flames Sunday for the second time in less than four years, and mere days after its reopening from the previous fire was celebrated.
-
Manitoba's top baby names for 2024
Manitoba’s top baby names remained mostly unchanged for 2024, though some new contenders made their way into the top 10.
-
Extreme cold warnings issued for parts of Manitoba; wind chills to drop below -40
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued extreme cold warnings for parts of Manitoba on Monday, saying wind chills could dip below -40 in some communities.
Atlantic
-
First winter storm of 2025 brings heavy, blowing snow to parts of Nova Scotia, P.E.I.
The first winter storm of the new year has brought heavy snow and high winds to parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Several school closures and weather warnings are in place Monday.
-
Three missing children in New Brunswick Amber Alert found safe: police
Police in New Brunswick have cancelled an Amber Alert in connection to three children who were reported missing and possibly abducted on Sunday.
-
Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries after being struck by vehicle in Dartmouth
Police say an adult pedestrian has suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Dartmouth, N.S., Monday morning.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate
About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
Edmonton
-
Number of Albertans receiving income support reaches highest total since 2019
Government data shows the number of Albertans receiving provincial income support has reached a five-year high.
-
Man charged with murder of woman in 'intimate partner homicide': Edmonton police
A man has been charged with the second-degree murder of a woman found dead late last month on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton police said Sunday.
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government will announce a new agreement with Enbridge Pipelines on Monday afternoon.
Calgary
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government will announce a new agreement with Enbridge Pipelines on Monday afternoon.
-
PMO staffers to meet Monday as Trudeau's announcement looms
As an announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his political future looms, CTV News has confirmed that staffers in the Prime Minister's Office are meeting on Monday.
-
'Creating something meaningful': Alberta artist creates unique cribbage boards
For nearly two decades, Neil Enock has been crafting intricate cribbage boards that marry nostalgia with artistry.
Regina
-
Jim Benning Ringette Tournament celebrates 35th year in Regina
Ringette teams from across western Canada gathered in Regina over the weekend for the 35th annual Jim Benning Invitational.
-
'A chance to push themselves out of their comfort zone': Speed dating event hosted in Regina
As the world of online dating continues to grow, those looking for an alternative option have had some luck with speed dating.
-
Canada closes 'flagpoling' loophole for temporary visa holders
Temporary residents of Canada will no longer be able to utilize the flagpoling process to initiate work or study permits, following a ban from the Canada Border Services Agency.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon's Forestry Farm goes dark after successful enchanted forest run
That's a wrap on the 26th annual BHP Enchanted Forest, which illuminated the holidays for more than 80,000 visitors from around Saskatchewan this year.
-
$20k of equipment stolen from rural Sask. Fire hall. And it's not the only one
Rural firehalls surrounding Saskatoon are having to deal with escalating thefts that could put rescue efforts in jeopardy.
-
Two people charged with murder after suspicious death on Sask. First Nation
A man and a woman have been charged with first degree murder after a 24-year-old man died of injuries on Saulteaux First Nation.
Vancouver
-
Wanted man bitten by police dog after hiding from officers in Vancouver dumpster
A man who led police on a chase through Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood was arrested Sunday after he was found hiding at the bottom of a dumpster.
-
Canada closes 'flagpoling' loophole for temporary visa holders
Temporary residents of Canada will no longer be able to utilize the flagpoling process to initiate work or study permits, following a ban from the Canada Border Services Agency.
-
Driver who entered Canada 'without stopping' at B.C. border crossing arrested: police
A man who illegally blew through the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Sunday morning has been arrested, according to authorities.
Vancouver Island
-
Driver who entered Canada 'without stopping' at B.C. border crossing arrested: police
A man who illegally blew through the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Surrey, B.C., Sunday morning has been arrested, according to authorities.
-
Driver dead after collision with construction vehicle in Saanich, B.C.
A driver is dead after colliding with a construction vehicle in Saanich Friday night.
-
B.C. man ordered to pay damages for smashing Smart car window during road rage incident
A man who smashed the window of a woman’s Smart car during a road rage incident with a former co-worker has been ordered to pay $1,245 in damages by the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal.
