TORONTO, ON – July 15, 2025 – The Toronto Police Service has made an arrest in connection with the tragic double homicide that occurred nearly a year ago in the Sheldon Avenue and Silvercrest Avenue area of the city. The victims have been identified as Sharon Fraser, 60, and her mother, Colleen Fraser, 82—both residents of Toronto.
The incident dates back to Friday, August 23, 2024, when officers responded to a well-being check shortly after 1:00 p.m. Upon entering a residence in the west Toronto neighborhood, police discovered the lifeless bodies of the two women inside. Their deaths were soon ruled homicides, sparking a year-long investigation by the Toronto Police Homicide Squad.
At the time, authorities withheld the victims’ names as they worked to notify next of kin and gather evidence. This case would ultimately become the 53rd and 54th homicides in Toronto in 2024, marking a particularly grim milestone for the city.
On Monday, July 15, 2025, police announced the arrest of Joseph Ayala, a 34-year-old Toronto man. He has been charged with two counts of Second Degree Murder. Ayala is scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, in room 107 at 10:00 a.m. on the same day.
Police have not yet released specific details surrounding the motive or how Ayala is connected to the victims, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing legal process. However, investigators have indicated that there is no ongoing threat to public safety and that the arrest was the result of months of forensic analysis, interviews, and community cooperation.
The arrest brings a small measure of closure to a grieving family and community deeply shaken by the brutal nature of the crime. Friends and neighbors have remembered Sharon Fraser as a kind-hearted woman who cared deeply for her elderly mother, Colleen, with whom she shared a home. The loss of both women in such a violent manner sent shockwaves through the tight-knit area of west Toronto, where residents continue to process the tragedy.
Authorities are still urging anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward. Detectives are continuing to piece together a complete timeline of events and gather all available evidence for the upcoming trial.
“We are committed to securing justice for Sharon and Colleen Fraser,” said a spokesperson for the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit. “We thank the community for their patience and support, and we continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact us.”
Anyone with tips or information is encouraged to contact the Toronto Police Service at 416-808-7400.The loss of Sharon and Colleen Fraser has left an indelible mark on all who knew them. As the legal process continues, their loved ones hope this arrest marks the beginning of healing and accountability.
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