Peel Regional Police say a Brampton father who allegedly killed his 11-year-old daughter has died in a Toronto trauma centre.
Officials said 41-year-old Roopesh Rajkumar died Wednesday evening. The news comes on the same day family, friends and community members attended a funeral in Etobicoke for Riya Rajkumar.
Riya died on Thursday, which was also her 11th birthday. She was found dead in her father’s home near Hansen Road North and Crawford Drive in Brampton late Thursday evening after an Amber Alert was issued.
WATCH ABOVE: A Peel Regional Police forensics van and marked cruisers were seen parked outside the hospital Wednesday evening
Officers said Riya was out with her father for her birthday on Thursday and was supposed to be dropped off to her mother, Priya Ramdin, at a predetermined time. Police said Ramdin contacted police at around 7 p.m. due to a concern about her daughter’s safety and a parental abduction investigation was launched.
Roopesh was arrested in Oro-Medonte, north of Toronto, just after midnight on Friday. The arrest came shortly after a resident called police after hearing details of the accused’s vehicle through the Amber Alert.
Roopesh was charged with first-degree murder. Police said the accused was in hospital after being injured from a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to his arrest.
His case was expected to be brought to court after being medically cleared to attend.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Riya’s death. Anyone with information is asked to call the Peel Regional Police homicide and missing persons bureau at 905-453–2121 ext. 3205 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.