A 33-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a Montreal homicide that left a 45-year-old woman dead inside her Ville-Marie apartment.
Youcef Moussaoui was arrested by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal on Thursday, October 15, and appeared at the Montreal courthouse the following day.
The charge has not been tested in court, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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What police say about the Montreal homicide
The Montreal homicide occurred on September 22, 2026, inside an apartment building on René-Lévesque Boulevard near Saint-Christophe Street in the Ville-Marie borough.
Police were called at about 3:25 p.m. for a welfare check.
Officers located the woman unresponsive inside the building, where she was pronounced dead.
The SPVM initially treated the death as suspicious before transferring the investigation to its Major Crimes Section.
Police later identified the case as the 19th homicide recorded on the Island of Montreal in 2026.
The victim was reportedly participating in a work-related virtual meeting when the fatal attack occurred.
Police have not publicly released a detailed account of what led to the killing or described the alleged weapon.
Suspect arrested after warrant issued
Moussaoui was arrested in Ville-Marie after investigators obtained a warrant.
The SPVM said he was expected to face a first-degree murder charge at his court appearance.
He was formally charged on October 16.
First-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge under Canada’s Criminal Code and generally involves circumstances such as planning and deliberation or other circumstances specified in law.
The charge itself is an allegation.
The Crown will have to present evidence in court, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case.
Police rule out intimate-partner violence
The SPVM said the killing did not take place in a context of intimate-partner violence.
That statement does not disclose whether the accused and victim knew one another, and police have not publicly identified a motive.
The service said evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including information about the alleged motive, would be made public through the judicial process.
Authorities have also asked anyone with information that has not yet been provided to contact police.
Tips can be submitted to the SPVM or anonymously through Info-Crime Montréal.
What happens next in the case
Because the allegation is first-degree murder, the case will proceed through Quebec’s Superior Court if it advances to trial.
The next stages may include further court appearances, disclosure of evidence to the defence, applications concerning bail or publication restrictions, and a decision on whether the case proceeds to trial.
Details about the alleged sequence of events, the relationship between the accused and the victim, and the Crown’s theory of the case may emerge gradually as the proceedings continue.
Until those details are tested in court, the available information remains limited to the police account, the charge and the circumstances publicly described in connection with the September 22 death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Montreal homicide?
A 45-year-old woman was found dead inside an apartment building on René-Lévesque Boulevard in Montreal’s Ville-Marie borough on September 22, 2026.
Who was charged in the case?
Youcef Moussaoui, 33, was arrested on October 15 and charged with first-degree murder on October 16.
Was the killing considered intimate-partner violence?
The SPVM said the homicide did not occur in a context of intimate-partner violence.
Has police released a motive?
No. Police said the alleged motive and other evidence would be addressed during the court process.
What happens next?
The case will continue through the Quebec court system, with further appearances and possible pre-trial proceedings before any trial decision.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the SPVM’s official arrest announcement and current court-related reporting on the October 2026 charge.
Disclaimer: The accused is presumed innocent, and the allegations have not been proven in court.