Suspect arrested in disappearance of two Whitby women, charged with murder

Durham Regional Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the deaths of his mother and grandmother in Whitby.

Joshua Burton, 30, of Whitby was arrested Friday in Oshawa and charged with two counts of second degree murder in the disappearance of 58-year-old Ava Burton and her mother, 85-year-old Tatilda Noble.

The suspect is the son and grandson of the missing females.

Burton and Noble were both reported missing to police back on October 14 after investigators were called to an address on Scepter Place to check on the wellbeing of the two women. Investigators said they found evidence at the scene that they deemed to be suspicious.

In an update provided by police on Saturday, they say the women are presumed to be dead at this point.

“Our concern right now is trying to find the remains of these two females so that hopefully we can add some closure for the family,” said Sgt. George Tudos. “I know that officers did try to ascertain that information, unfortunately no information was provided to our investigators so we are still looking for tips, still looking for anyone that may have information on these two missing females.”

Police add they are not looking at any other potential crime scenes in connection with this investigation.

“We usually search an area where we know there’s usually been some information that, this is where they’ve been spotted, or there’s some evidence located, but it’s hard to say when we really have no information as to their whearabouts,” said Tudos.

At this point in the investigation police say they are not looking for any other suspects. “We believe this is an isolated incident.”