Toronto police hunt for man known to wear cowboy hat and boots after 2 found dead

Police in Toronto say they’re looking for a 33-year-old man known to wear a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and a “cowboy-style” jacket after two women were found dead at an Etobicoke home.

Investigators said they were called to the area of Sheldon Ave. and Silvercrest Ave. before 1 p.m. on Friday, noting a large police presence came after the initial call.

The call began as a wellness check, police said, but escalated when officers found two female victims with injuries.

Speaking at the scene, Toronto police Det. Sgt. Jason Davis, part of the force’s homicide unit, said the two women “were beyond help” and pronounced dead at the scene.

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Davis said a 33-year-old man named Joseph Ayala was being sought in connection with the deaths. He said the man was related to the two women but would not elaborate on their connection.

2:45 Toronto police hunt for man known to wear cowboy hat, boots after 2 women found dead in Etobicoke

Police are looking to bring Ayala “into custody safely” and warning the public to call 911 if they believe they have seen him and not to engage. In a social media post on Friday night, Toronto police said Ayala was wanted on a charge of second-degree murder.

He is described as five-foot, 11-inches with a shaved head. Police said he was known to wear a cowboy hat, jacket with tassels on the sleeves and boots and said searches were underway at locations Ayala is known to frequent.

During a brief media appearance at the scene, surrounded by police vehicles and forensic units, Davis batted away more detailed questions, citing the need to “protect the integrity” of the investigation, which is still in its early stages.

Toronto police’s homicide unit is leading the investigation and Davis said they were working on locating and potentially releasing a photo of the suspect.