Durham police have identified a second suspect being sought in connection with a fire in Pickering last month that left a 69-year-old woman dead. Police said 34-year-old Elston Coutinho is wanted for second-degree murder. The fire broke out at a house near Primrose Court and Fairport Road, north of Finch Avenue, on the afternoon of June 11. When crews arrived, they found a 69-year-old woman dead inside the home. Following an autopsy, her death was ruled a homicide. Police have not released her identity, but Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss confirmed to CP24 on Saturday that the victim is the mother of 34-year-old Sandra Coutinho who was arrested on June 19 and charged her with accessory after the fact to murder. Bortoluss added that Elston is Sandra’s husband. Police say there is a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of Elston and are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact homicide investigators at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers anonymously. The cause, origin and circumstances of the fire are under investigation.
