Man charged with murder in The Annex fire that left elderly woman dead

Toronto police investigating after a woman was critically injured following a house fire late Saturday night (CP24 photo).

Toronto police have charged a man in connection with a fire in The Annex last month that left an elderly woman dead.

On Friday, police provided an update on their investigation into the death of 84-year-old Giovanna Balestrieri.

Police said firefighters found her inside a burning home in the area of Avenue Road and Boswell Avenue, south of Davenport Road, on the evening of Nov. 15.

A suspect attended the residence and allegedly set it on fire.

Police said Balestrieri lived in the home by herself. She is the city’s 36th homicide victim of the year.

Police announced on Friday that they arrested 34-year-old Curtis Leander McLeod and charged him with first-degree murder.

Investigators have not shared a possible motive for the incident, and it is not known if the victim knew the suspect.

Homicide investigator Det.-Sgt. Trevor Grieve previously said it was a targeted incident.

“If I’m going to be candid, this was a tragic and senseless act. In fact, cowardly and deplorable come to mind,” Grieve said on Nov. 17.

They continue to ask anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).