Woman facing upgraded 1st-degree murder charge after man found dead in Aurora house fire

York Regional Police say a woman is now facing an upgraded first-degree murder charge after a man was found dead inside an Aurora home after a fire on July 27.

Through a post-mortem examination, police have also identified the victim as 38-year-old Troy Stephen Oakley.

Melissa Galea, 36, of Aurora, is also facing one count of arson, six counts of uttering threats and one count of failure to comply with recognizance.

“Because of the extent of the damage that was caused in that residence, it was a very difficult investigation at the scene. So a lot of time was spent there,” Const. Andy Pattenden said.

“But evidence gleaned from the scene has led to these charges.”

Emergency crews were initially called to a house on Edward Street, where they found the residence fully engulfed in flames.

WATCH (July 27, 2019): Aurora house fire being treated as a homicide

1:01 Aurora house fire being treated as a homicide

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire after about an hour. They entered the home and found an adult man deceased.

It is unknown what the relationship between the victim and the suspect was.

Galea is scheduled to appear in a Newmarket courtroom on Thursday.

— With files from Morganne Campbell