Toronto police released four new videos of a suspect wanted in the murder of a Cabbagetown housekeeper on Monday as part of their expanding investigation into the case.
“At this point, the homicide squad have collected approximately 200 hours of security video from the surrounding areas,” Toronto police Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux said at a press conference Monday afternoon. “All of that video will have to be reviewed.”
Nighisti "Nicky" Semret, 55, was fatally stabbed near Wellesley Street East and Parliament Street as she walked home from her job the morning of Oct. 23.
The new videos released Monday were all obtained from a building on Bleecker Street, close to where Semret was killed.
“The homicide squad is trying to continue to establish the deceased’s walking route home on this particular morning,” Giroux said, adding that police are trying to determine if Semret was followed over a great distance.
Giroux said that 13 officers are currently working on the case.
“The motive of the attack remains unclear,” Giroux said.
On Sunday, new photographs of the clothing worn by Semret were also released by police.
Images of a grey jacket, blue pants, black scarf, black shoes and cloth shopping bags were posted to the Toronto Police Service’s website Sunday afternoon in the hope of generating new leads from potential witnesses.
Initial surveillance footage released by police last week showed a suspect following behind Semret. He’s described as white, 150-180 lbs., with a medium build and dark eyebrows.
He was last seen wearing a heavy, three-quarter-length dark jacket with circular buttons on the cuffs, a dark hat with a peak which possibly was leather, a light-coloured scarf tied at the back.
He also wore dark pants that appear to be baggy at the knee and lower leg. His shoes were dark and worn-looking, with laces.
There is also the possibility that the suspect walks with a limp, Giroux said on Monday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
