Ont. man convicted of murder in 2023 killing of girlfriend

Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing and triggering for readers.

A Newmarket, Ont. jury has found a Toronto man guilty of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of his former girlfriend.

Daniil Matin, 38, had been on trial for more than five weeks charged with the first-degree murder of Marina Nagolia, 43, inside her Richmond Hill home.

The court heard it was on Aug. 25, 2023, when police were called to a home on Taylor Mills Drive South for a welfare check and investigators found the body of the 43-year-old. Her injured former boyfriend, Matin, was located with what was described as self-inflicted stab wounds to his throat.

Matin was initially charged with second-degree murder and has remained in custody since that night.

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Nagolia, who was a former model from Russia, divorced with a young daughter, dated Matin for about four years until she ended their relationship.

Matin attempted to reconcile with Nagolia and two days after returning from a trip to Cuba, Nagolia was found dead in the home. The forensic pathologist ruled Nagolia, who was found with several stab wounds, died of neck compressions.

The Crown argued Nagolia had also been sexually assaulted by Matin. The jury had to decide whether Matin is guilty of first or second-degree murder, the lesser included offence of manslaughter, or not guilty.

A sentencing hearing date will be set later this month.