Montreal police (SPVM) investigators met with a “person of interest” in Leila Ben Salem’s violent death in her apartment, but no arrests have been made to date. Police wouldn’t say whether the individual, who was released, had a relationship with or was related to Ben Salem. The investigation is ongoing. Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to Ben Salem, who was a federal public servant who was killed while on a video call with a co-worker in her Montreal apartment on Tuesday. Carney offered his condolences to the victim’s family on Thursday in the House of Commons. “She was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault,” said Carney. He said that Canada and all members of the House of Commons will do everything in their power to support the police in their investigation “so that the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also offered his condolences to the family and loved ones of Ben Salem. Union of Taxation Employees president Adam Jackson said he was “shocked and heartbroken” at the news. “On behalf of our union, I offer my deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,” wrote Jackson. “We condemn the violence that took her life. Our thoughts are with everyone grieving this terrible loss. We stand with Montreal Local 10008 and all members affected by this news. We will work with the local to support Leïla’s colleagues and stand ready to assist her family in ways they welcome. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.” ‘Immense loss’ Ben Salem’s employer also said in a statement that it was saddened by her tragic death. “On behalf of the CRA, we extend our sincerest condolences to her family, loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this immense loss,” a CRA spokesperson said. The CRA said it has deployed a crisis response team to offer support to employees. Killed during a virtual meeting The civil servant and mother was killed Tuesday afternoon while she was in the middle of a virtual meeting with a work colleague. The tragedy unfolded in an apartment located on René-Lévesque Boulevard, near Saint-Christophe Street. Noovo Info found that the suspect gained access to the apartment of the victim, a woman of Tunisian origin, and assaulted and killed her with a blunt object. Police said that they responded to a wellness check and pronounced her dead on the scene. An investigation into a suspicious death was launched, before confirming that it was the 19th homicide to occur in the SPVM’s territory in 2026.
