A man has been charged with first-degree murder following the shocking death of a woman who was killed while she was in a virtual meeting with colleagues.
Leila Ben Salem was found dead at her apartment in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Canada, on September 22 following a request for a wellness check.
Local channel CTV News reports that Youcef Moussaoui, 33, has now been charged with the murder of the 45-year-old, who worked for the Canada Revenue Agency.
He appeared via video link in a Montreal court last Friday, where he did not enter a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 21.
The exact motive for the murder remains unclear, however local authorities have said that Salem’s murder was not related to domestic violence
‘The various pieces of evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including the alleged motive for the murder, will be made public during the legal proceedings,’ police said.
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Moussaoui, who does not have a criminal record in Quebec, was taken into custody last Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Ben Salem’s death is the 19th homicide recorded in Montreal so far this year.
Tributes were paid by The CRA and the Union of Taxation Employees, as well as from several members of the Canadian government.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, saying: ‘Ms. Ben Salem was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault.’
Carney added that the government would do what it could to ensure ‘the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price.’
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described her as ‘a treasured member of the public service who tragically lost her life’.
‘We Conservatives also wish to share our condolences with the family of Ms. Ben Salem,’ he added.
The murder comes just days after another shocking crime, in which a man was accused of decapitating two members of his family with a chainsaw at their home in Alabama.
Thomas Steele, 47, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after Christy Deloach, 65, and 85-year-old Dora Boone were found dead at their home in Mobile on Monday.
Police made the grim discovery after his aunt called 911 to report that Steele, who she said is bipolar, had begun ‘doing some bizarre things’ after he came off his medication.
According to transcripts reported by WBKO News, she told police that he gave away his phone and car.
Steele, who gave a disturbing grin in his mugshot photo, appeared in court late last week, and is likely to undergo medical evaluation to see whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.