Toronto police charge son with mother's murder after body found in garbage bag

Toronto police have laid a second-degree murder charge in the homicide of a woman whose body was found in a black garbage bag in Leslieville almost a week ago.

Police said the body of Tien Ly, 46, was found near Eastern and Berkshire avenues last Monday. Ly is Toronto's 17th homicide victim of the year. Her body showed signs of trauma and some dismemberment.

By Wednesday, police said they were looking for her son, who had gone missing but was not yet a suspect.

Dallas Ly, 20, is believed by police to have lived with his mother in a condo building near Carlaw Avenue and Dundas Street East.

Police said they arrested Ly in Toronto on Saturday.

He has been charged with second-degree murder and appeared in court Sunday, where the case was adjourned until April 8.

Const. Laura Brabant, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said initially Ly was not a suspect. She said police were concerned for his well-being after officers went to the condo unit in which he is believed to have resided.

"Through investigation, it was determined that the son, Dallas Ly, was responsible for the murder of Tien Ly," Brabant said. "I don't know when the turning point occurred, when he became a suspect."

The charges have not yet been proven in court.