Globe and Mail
Prostitute found slain in apartment
Discovery comes on heels of warning that killer may be hunting sex workers
By JONATHAN FOWLIE
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - Page A14
A prostitute has been found strangled just over a week after Toronto homicide detectives warned women in the city's sex trade that a killer could be hunting them.
Her body was found in a Toronto apartment on Monday.
In their warning, issued Oct. 5, police said they had linked DNA evidence found at the scene of prostitute Cassandra Do's slaying seven weeks ago with evidence from the sexual assault of a Toronto prostitute in 1997. Police released a description of the suspect in that death separately.
Police also said at the time of the warning that four prostitutes had contacted them shortly after they released a description of the suspect in the 1997 assault. The four prostitutes told police they were beaten and sexually attacked by a man who fit that description.
"I'm totally devastated. I hope to God it's not the same person," Anastasia Kuzyk, a spokeswoman with the Sex Workers Alliance of Toronto, said after hearing about the latest attack.
Police said yesterday a suspect has not yet been identified in the killing of the woman found on Monday, and would not give details or say whether they believed there were any links to to the other two deaths.
Ms. Kuzyk said women on the street are feeling "big time" concern, and that a composite picture should be made of the suspect and circulated as soon as possible.
Although she said she had no idea whether the latest killing was the work of the same person, Ms. Kuzyk said it sounded very similar.
"Obviously here is someone who is targeting women," she said.
The body of Ms. Do, 32, was found in her bathtub. Known as Tula, she lived as a woman but had not undergone a complete male-to-female sex change. She had been strangled.
Police said they didn't believe Tula actually walked the streets and solicited but attracted her clients through a Web site and an ad in a weekly newspaper.
At a candlelight vigil after her death, friends expressed shock, saying Tula was streetwise and did not take drugs.
Police said the victim of the 1997 assault described her attacker as 30 to 40 years of age, 6 foot 2, weighing about 230 pounds. He may wear glasses and is muscular with close-shaved hair.
Police said they are withholding the name of the victim found Monday until family members have been notified.
Ms. Kuzyk said SWAT will be holding a meeting tomorrow at 1 p.m. with sex workers and police to gather more information about a possible attacker.
Women who want to attend the meeting can call SWAT, or the 519 Community Centre on Church Street, to find out where it will be held.
Prostitute found slain in apartment
Discovery comes on heels of warning that killer may be hunting sex workers
By JONATHAN FOWLIE
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - Page A14
A prostitute has been found strangled just over a week after Toronto homicide detectives warned women in the city's sex trade that a killer could be hunting them.
Her body was found in a Toronto apartment on Monday.
In their warning, issued Oct. 5, police said they had linked DNA evidence found at the scene of prostitute Cassandra Do's slaying seven weeks ago with evidence from the sexual assault of a Toronto prostitute in 1997. Police released a description of the suspect in that death separately.
Police also said at the time of the warning that four prostitutes had contacted them shortly after they released a description of the suspect in the 1997 assault. The four prostitutes told police they were beaten and sexually attacked by a man who fit that description.
"I'm totally devastated. I hope to God it's not the same person," Anastasia Kuzyk, a spokeswoman with the Sex Workers Alliance of Toronto, said after hearing about the latest attack.
Police said yesterday a suspect has not yet been identified in the killing of the woman found on Monday, and would not give details or say whether they believed there were any links to to the other two deaths.
Ms. Kuzyk said women on the street are feeling "big time" concern, and that a composite picture should be made of the suspect and circulated as soon as possible.
Although she said she had no idea whether the latest killing was the work of the same person, Ms. Kuzyk said it sounded very similar.
"Obviously here is someone who is targeting women," she said.
The body of Ms. Do, 32, was found in her bathtub. Known as Tula, she lived as a woman but had not undergone a complete male-to-female sex change. She had been strangled.
Police said they didn't believe Tula actually walked the streets and solicited but attracted her clients through a Web site and an ad in a weekly newspaper.
At a candlelight vigil after her death, friends expressed shock, saying Tula was streetwise and did not take drugs.
Police said the victim of the 1997 assault described her attacker as 30 to 40 years of age, 6 foot 2, weighing about 230 pounds. He may wear glasses and is muscular with close-shaved hair.
Police said they are withholding the name of the victim found Monday until family members have been notified.
Ms. Kuzyk said SWAT will be holding a meeting tomorrow at 1 p.m. with sex workers and police to gather more information about a possible attacker.
Women who want to attend the meeting can call SWAT, or the 519 Community Centre on Church Street, to find out where it will be held.
