Man charged with murder after elderly woman killed in Toronto house fire

TORONTO — A man has been charged with first-degree murder after an elderly woman was killed in a Toronto house fire last month.

Toronto police allege the suspect went to a house in the Avenue Road and Boswell Avenue area on Nov. 15 and set it on fire.

A woman was found inside by firefighters and taken to hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Police have identified her as 84-year-old Giovanna Balestrieri.

Police say the 34-year-old Toronto man accused of murder appeared in court on Friday.

Investigators have not released any further details.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press