Investigation into missing man now considered a homicide

Toronto police are now investigating a missing person’s case as a homicide, although they have been unable to locate the 57-year-old victim.

Police said Nathaniel Brettell was last known to be at his home in the Weston Road and Dixon Road area on Jan. 21.

The investigation brought police to a rooming house in the Royal York Boulevard and Lawrence Avenue West area.

Officers didn’t find Brettell, but spotted blood during their probe and returned the next day to conduct a more thorough search.

Police said the fact that they are still unable to located Brettell, along with evidence collected from the scene, has led them to determine that this is a homicide.

During their investigation of the rooming house, two police officers were attacked by a man.

While in the common area of the rooming house, a man suddenly emerged from one of the rooms with a knife and immediately began attacking the officers.

He was tasered and arrested on scene.

One of the officers suffered significant slash wounds. The other officer’s injuries are more minor in nature. Both were treated at hospital and released.

The man, identified as Ahmed Al Farkh, 33, of Toronto, is facing several charges including two counts of attempt murder, two counts of aggravated assault of a police officer and four counts of assault with a weapon.

There has been no word on if the man who attacked the officers is being considered a suspect.