Toronto man charged with 2nd-degree murder after woman killed in east-end apartment

A 51-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a 36-year-old woman was found dead in an east-end Toronto apartment.

Toronto police said Michelle Riley was assaulted in an apartment building in east-end Toronto Thursday. Officers responded to a report of an assault around 8:30 a.m. on Dawes Road near Beth Street, just south of St. Clair Avenue East and Victoria Park Avenue.

Police said emergency crews located an unconscious woman and CPR was performed. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.

A neighbour on the 10th floor who requested his name not be made public told Global News the woman was living with three other male roommates.

He said he heard an argument break out next door around 5 p.m. Wednesday. He also said he saw police officers place a man in handcuffs and read his rights in the hallway Thursday morning.

A resident of the building said the woman was on disability and that she was a good person.

“I came out here this morning and there were two ambulances and cop cars,” Linda Henwood said. “They said that someone got murdered. I heard it was Michelle. I saw her a month ago.”

Another resident said she was shocked to hear of the death but that the building has had its fair share of problems in recent years.

“It’s dirty. The maintenance forms go in and nothing gets done,” Sarah Childs said. “There’s all kinds of drugs here. Stairwells, out here and about. It’s everywhere. They’re doing drugs, getting drugs, selling drugs. It’s horrible.”

Brian Williams, of Toronto, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in a Toronto court Friday morning.

Nick Westoll contributed to this report.