Timeline of events in the case of alleged Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur
TORONTO — A timeline of key events in the case of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur based on information released by Toronto police:
September 2010 — Skandaraj Navaratnam, 40, disappears from Toronto’s gay village.
October 2012 — Majeed Kayhan, 58, of Toronto, is reported missing. November 2012 — Police launch Project Houston to investigate the disappearance of three men from Toronto’s gay village, including Navaratnam and Kayhan.
April 2014 — Police close Project Houston, saying none of their findings would classify anyone as a suspect of a criminal offence. August 2015 — Soroush Mahmudi, 50, of Toronto, is reported missing. May 2016 - July 2017 — Police believe Dean Lisowick, 43 or 44, of no fixed address, was killed by McArthur during this time span. April 14, 2017 — Selim Esen, 44, is reported missing from the area of Toronto’s Yonge and Bloor streets. June 26, 2017 — Andrew Kinsman, 49, is reported missing from the area of Parliament and Winchester streets.
August 2017 — Police launch
Project Prism to investigate the disappearances of Esen and Kinsman.
September 2017 — Project Prism officers identify Bruce McArthur
“as someone to be included or excluded as being involved in the disappearance of Andrew Kinsman.” Dec. 8, 2017 — Police Chief Mark Saunders says the force will review its practices in missing persons investigations. He denies that there is evidence suggesting a serial killer is walking the streets of Toronto.
Jan. 17, 2018 — Police uncover evidence suggesting McArthur was responsible for both Kinsman and Esen’s deaths, along with the deaths of other unidentified people.
Jan. 18, 2018 — McArthur is arrested and charged with firstdegree murder in the deaths of Esen and Kinsman. Police say McArthur is believed to be responsible for other deaths.
Jan. 19, 2018 — McArthur has his first court appearance.
Jan. 29, 2018 — McArthur is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Mahmudi, Kayhan and Lisowick. Police call McArthur an alleged serial killer and say more victims may be identified.
Feb. 8, 2018 — Police say they’ve recovered the remains of six people from planters at a house where McArthur worked as a landscaper, and say they expect to lay more charges.
Feb. 13, 2018 — Police say excavation at the home’s backyard turned up no human remains, but suggest they may “revisit the scene” when the weather warms up.
Feb. 23, 2018 — Police lay a sixth charge of first-degree murder against McArthur, identify Navaratnam as one of the alleged victims whose remains were found in the planters.