A day after a suspected serial killer was charged in connection with the deaths of two missing Toronto men, Global News has learned the accused was under police investigation for months.
Homicide investigators announced on Thursday that 66-year-old Bruce McArthur was arrested at his Toronto home following a months-long probe into missing persons cases. McArthur was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, the first count in connection with the death of Andrew Kinsman and the second count in the death of Selim Esen.
Both men disappeared in downtown Toronto last year. Andrew was last seen on June 26 near Parliament and Winchester streets and Esen was last seen on April 14 near Bloor and Yonge streets. Police at the time called both missing persons cases as suspicious. In August 2017, Project Prism was created to allow officers to investigate the disappearances.
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During a press conference Thursday, Det. Sgt. Hank Idsinga said investigators made “significant progress” on Wednesday.
However, Global News has learned that McArthur was under police investigation for some time. In October staff at Dom’s Auto Parts in Courtice, Ont., were visited by investigators.
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Sisters of Andrew Kinsman react to arrest of alleged killer -
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Who is Bruce McArthur? -
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Kinsmen sisters remember brother, the alleged victim of Bruce McArthur -
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‘I never thought they would get him this quickly’: Kinsmen sister -
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Always hope they’d find him alive: Kinsmen sister -
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Shelly Kinsman gives thanks for search efforts to find brother Andrew -
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Andrew Kinsmen friend says he’s surprised by speed of investigation -
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‘Deeper and darker than we expected’: Andrew Kinsmen friend -
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Friend of Andrew Kinsmen discusses difficulty of establishing link -
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Andrew Kinsmen friend talks about another friend he hasn’t heard from -
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Suspected serial killer charged with murders of 2 Toronto men -
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Toronto’s Church-Wellesley community reacts to arrest in cases of 2 missing men -
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Covering the Toronto police investigation into disappearances of men from Church-Wellesley Village -
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Security expert comments on suspected Toronto serial killer being charged -
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Bruce McArthur could be connected to other cases: Toronto police -
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Police looking for bodies after arrest in Village’s missing men case -
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Suspect had sexual relationship with victim in Village missing men case -
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Toronto Police have been investigating suspect for ‘several months’ -
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Toronto homicide officers say no link found with Bruce McArthur arrest and Tess Richey case -
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Chief says listening to the community helped apprehend Village suspect
Vtere said police took DNA samples from everyone at the business who had contact with the van before officers seized it.
Harry Cribb, who works at the shop and bought a 2004 maroon-coloured Dodge Caravan from McArthur for $125, said the transaction wasn’t out of the ordinary.
“We get a lot of people coming in. He was just a normal guy selling a car the way normally they do — didn’t look stressed out or anything,” Cribb said.
“I can’t say for sure because I didn’t actually see him leave, but he must have had someone here with him… to drive him away.”
Meanwhile, police attended multiple properties associated with McArthur. Global News learned he house sat and did landscaping work at a Leaside home and attended a Don Mills condo associated with a boyfriend. Investigators were seen at both properties Friday gathering evidence.
Investigators were also seen at a home in Scarborough Friday and Saturday, where residents said McArthur was seen doing landscaping work.
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In Madoc, Ont., OPP and Toronto police officers were seen examining a rural property associated with McArthur.
Global News also learned another car was removed by police on Thursday at McArthur’s Thorncliffe Park apartment building as forensics investigators gathered evidence inside the apartment unit.
Meanwhile, McArthur appeared in a Toronto court Friday morning and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 14 through video link.
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