Woman killed in Montreal's ninth homicide of year, 'important witness' in hospital

Montreal police say a 42-year-old woman whose body was found in an apartment fire was a victim of homicide.

Police spokesman Antony Dorélas says firefighters were called at around 7 p.m. Tuesday to a fire in an apartment building in the Pointe-aux-Trembles neighbourhood.

They found a 42-year-old woman inside and attempts to revive her failed.

Police later discovered marks of violence on her body and determined she had been killed before the fire, making her the city's ninth homicide victim this year.

Another woman, who was injured in her lower body and bleeding, was found next to the crime scene and taken to hospital.

Dorélas says the injured woman is considered an "important witness" but hasn't yet met with major crimes investigators, who are leading the case.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press