Mother killed in North York condo remembered as woman who inspired others

A 27-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 70-year-old mother in Toronto on Wednesday, police say.

Toronto police said officers responded to the area of Seneca Hill Drive and Finch Avenue East, just east of Don Mills Road in North York, at around 8:15 p.m. for a medical call.

Emergency crews located a woman with injuries who was in medical distress, police said. There was no word on the nature of the her injuries.

First responders worked to treat her, but she died at the scene.

In an update Thursday afternoon, officers identified her as Toronto resident Joy Barnwell. Her death marks Toronto’s first homicide of 2023.

Svetlana Ratnikova, founder of Immigrant Woman in Business, said Barnwell helped to co-found the organization and was also a friend.

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“My soul is crying,” she said. “I mean, she’s not only my personal friend, but she is somebody who made a difference in the community.”

Ratnikova said Barnwell was a “leader in the community,” who “inspired” and mentored others.

According to Ratnikova, Barnwell’s passion was championing diversity, inclusion and youth empowerment, and she helped many people obtain jobs within the government.

“To live your life to help women of domestic violence and being a victim yourself — I mean, I can only think that surely something is not well with that human being,” she said.

Police said a man — since identified as 27-year-old Toronto resident Michael Rawlins — was arrested.

He faces a charge of second-degree murder.

Toronto police Const. Alex Li confirmed to Global News that Rawlins is Barnwell’s son.

“I want to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident,” Li said.

Rawlins appeared in court on Thursday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

-with files from Global News’ Hannah Jackson and Catherine McDonald