An independent review of the Toronto police force's handling of missing-person cases, including the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur, has found that "systemic discrimination" contributed to failings in a number of investigations.
Epstein dedicated the report to Andrew Kinsman, Selim Esen, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi, Dean Lisowick, Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam – who McArthur killed – along with Alloura Wells, a trans woman found dead in a ravine in 2017 and Tess Richey, a young woman whose body was found in an outdoor stairwell by her mother after police failed to locate her.
Epstein concluded that while a number officers worked hard to investigate the disappearances, others had “misconceptions or stereotypical ideas” about the gay community – and that these perceptions hampered the search fo the killer.
At the same time, investigators “failed to appreciate” the barriers that “prevented some witnesses from coming forward”– including a deep mistrust of police in marginalized communities and a long history of criminalization of the LGBTQ+ communities.
Report finds serious flaws in how Toronto police investigated missing-persons cases
by The Canadian Press
Posted Apr 13, 2021 11:45 am EDT
Tess Richey, 22, last seen on Saturday in the Church and Wellesley area, NOV. 29, 2017. TORONTO POLICE SERVICES/Handout
TORONTO – An independent review has found systemic discrimination contributed to deficiencies in a number of missing-persons investigations conducted by Toronto police.
The review, led by former judge Gloria Epstein, examined policies and procedures related to missing-persons cases, as well as how officers investigated the disappearances of residents who were later found to have been killed.
It focused on the eight men murdered by serial killer Bruce McArthur, as well as Tess Richey, a young woman whose body was found in an outdoor stairwell by her mother, and Alloura Wells, a trans woman found dead in a ravine.
‘Serious flaws’ in how Toronto police investigated missing-persons cases, report finds TORONTO Bookmark Please log in to listen to this story. Also available in French and Mandarin. Log In Create Free Account
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The Canadian Press
An independent review has found systemic discrimination contributed to deficiencies in a number of missing-persons investigations conducted by Toronto police.
The review, led by former judge Gloria Epstein, examined policies and procedures related to missing-persons cases, as well as how officers investigated the disappearances of residents who were later found to have been killed.
Hunt for Toronto serial killer hampered by police prejudice, report says msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.