Police release final clues in 2012 Liberty Village murder

Toronto police have revealed photos of the man they believe killed Mike Pimentel, 24, on New Year’s Day in 2012.

Pimentel was separated from friends after leaving the Liberty Grand banquet hall at Exhibition Place and was found stabbed near Liberty Street and Hanna Avenue just before 3 a.m. He died in hospital.

Despite images released of a woman believed to have been with the person responsible, the case remains unsolved.

So, on Dec. 6, as the three-year anniversary of Pimentel’s death approached, police launched a social media campaign inspired by the American true-crime podcast Serial.

They posted photos and clues of people and evidence they hoped would prompt witnesses to come forward, and on Wednesday, they released the final images, at a news conference near the crime scene.

“I want everybody to take a good look at this picture and think back,” said Det. Jeff Tavares.

“Think back to New Year’s Eve 2011, the morning after, January 1st, 2012. Think about who you were with, if you were in the Liberty Village area. Think about who you saw that evening.

“Do you remember seeing this man? Do you remember seeing the woman that was with the man? Were you at the same venue as this person?”

The man, classified only as a “person of interest” for now, is white, in his mid-20s, five-foot-six to five-foot-10, with a slim build and short (almost shaved), likely light-coloured hair. He was wearing a three-quarter-length black jacket with a fur-trimmed hood, light jeans and white running shoes.

Pimentel’s mother Gloria Luz and other family were at the news conference to plead for the public’s help.

“I will not give up. I will not give up,” said Pimentel’s sister Carla Pimentel.

“That’s my little brother. Somebody took my little brother away from me, away from my family, away from friends. I will not give up until they’re caught.”

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (416) 808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477).

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