Arrest made in death of sex trade worker

Peel Regional Police Insp. George Koekkoek speaks at a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a sex trade worker at a Mississauga hotel over the weekend.

On Saturday evening, fire crews, police and paramedics responded to reports of a fire at the Quality Inn at 50 Britannia Rd. E. in Mississauga.

When the fire was put out, they discovered 43-year-old Evelyn Bumatay Castillo, unconscious in one of the hotel rooms. She was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination led Peel Regional Police officers to believe that she died as a result of foul play. The exam revealed Castillo, a caregiver and sex trade worker, had died of injuries received prior to the fire being set.

At a news conference on Thursday, Peel Regional Police Insp. George Koekkoek said that police believe Castillo was killed by the same person who set the fire.

As a result of an investigation, 32-year-old Niran Vade "Nick" Murray has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Police said they believe he was one of Castillo's customers, though they are unaware of specific details including how he became aware of the victim's escort services.

Koekkoek said police believe the suspect may have been involved in other assaults.

They believe he may be targeting female sex trade workers. He said that police are aware of allegations of at least one other incident involving a sex trade worker in a hotel, and added that the investigation is "by no means" complete. He's facing charges of assault and mischief in that case, Koekkoek said.

Police hope that releasing a photo of the suspect may jog the memories of those who have interacted with him.