Man, 71, charged with murder in connection with Vaughan homicide investigation: police

Editor’s note: On Sept. 29, York Regional Police announced the charges against 71-year-old Mohammad Askaryar had been withdrawn.

A 71-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a homicide investigation in Vaughan, police say.

York Regional Police said on Sept. 23, at around 7:45 p.m., officers received a report of a fire in the Parktree Drive and Lucena Crescent area.

Police said when officers arrived, a woman was found unresponsive inside the residence.

“The victim was transported to hospital where she was pronounced deceased,” police said in a news release.

Officers said the victim has been identified as 64-year-old Naheed Askaryar from Vaughan.

Police said a post-mortem examination revealed the cause of her death was stab wounds.

According to police, on Friday, 71-year-old Mohammad Askaryar from Vaughan was arrested.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and arson endangering life.

Police told Global News the accused and the victim were married.

Neighbours told Global News that Mohammad Askaryar was outside of the home when the fire department arrived on Friday and was crying inconsolably as his wife was brought out on a stretcher.

Neighbours said, at one point, someone brought him a chair because he was so upset.

He was then taken to hospital.

York Regional Police did not disclose where he was arrested, only saying he was taken into custody in Vaughan Friday night.

Police said he is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Naheed Askaryar worked at Jimmy The Greek inside the Vaughan Mills mall for the last seven years.

Her boss, Thomas Kellesis, told Global News she was a “superwoman” and a “cheerful person.”

“Ms. Naheed was almost like a second mother to me, (a) hardworker, and would do almost anything for you,” he said.

“She would give the shirt off her back to you,” he continued.

Anyone with information or who may have video surveillance or dashcam footage in the area is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7865 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.