Guilty plea in alleged incelinspired sword attack on Toronto spa worker

Using a sword inscribed “Thot Slayer” and armed with a note that proclaimed “Long live the incel rebellion,” a youth murdered Crown Spa receptionist Ashley Arzaga and seriously wounded her co-worker in 2020.

The horrific attack was played in court Wednesday morning after the youth offender, now 20, pleaded guilty to firstdegree murder and attempted murder in the shocking Feb. 24, 2020 sword attack at the Dufferin St. erotic spa.

In an agreed statement of facts, he admitted he walked from his home to the spa while wearing a long, dark trench coat and the sword attached to his belt.

Arzaga, the mom of a five-year-old girl, was called in to cover the reception desk for an employee who hadn’t shown up. The killer entered just after 12:30 p.m. and she seemed to welcome him until he suddenly drew the sword and began stabbing her repeatedly.

She suffered 42 sharp force injuries — to her face, chest, abdomen, back, arms, hands, legs, chest wall, lungs and liver, as well as a 15.7 cm slash into the left side of her face that cut into muscle. She died at the scene.

The security camera video drew audible groans as it was played in the hushed courtroom.