Man charged with first-degree murder in death of Montreal CRA employee during video call

Youcef Moussaoui, 33, faces first-degree murder charges in the Sept. 22 killing of Leila Ben Salem, 45, found dead in her Montreal apartment while on a virtual work call.

Montreal man charged in murder of CRA worker killed during virtual meeting

A Montreal man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Canada Revenue Agency employee who was killed while on a virtual work meeting with a co-worker, cp24.com reports.

Youcef Moussaoui, 33, appeared by video conference at the Montreal courthouse on Friday, where he was formally charged in the death of Leila Ben Salem, 45.

Ben Salem was pronounced dead on Sept. 22 after Montreal police responded to a wellness check call at approximately 3:25 p.m. at an apartment on René-Lévesque Boulevard, near Saint-Christophe Street in the Ville-Marie borough.

Moussaoui was taken into custody the following Thursday afternoon after police issued a search warrant for his arrest. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21.

His defence lawyer, Maria Vivas, told reporters outside the courtroom that she does not know the nature of the relationship between her client and the victim, and that she needs to review the evidence. Moussaoui has no criminal record in Quebec.

Montreal police stated in a news release on Thursday that Ben Salem's killing 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," the release said.

Police identified her death as the 19th homicide in Montreal this year.

Ben Salem's death drew responses from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Mark Carney described her as "a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault," and said he supported police efforts "so that the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price." Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre also offered his condolences, as did the CRA and the Union of Taxation Employees.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)