Husband, 71, charged with 1st-degree murder after woman found dead in Vaughan home

A 71-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead inside a Vaughan home that was set on fire last week.

Fire crews in York Region responded to a structure fire in the Parktree Drive and Lucena Crescent area around 7:45 p.m. on Friday, September 23.

Police on the scene located a woman inside the residence. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, police identified the woman as 64-year-old Naheed Askaryar of Vaughan. Through a post-mortem, investigators revealed the cause of death to be stab wounds.

Authorities say 71-year-old Mohammad Askaryar was arrested the same day of the incident. Police tell CityNews the accused is the victim’s husband.

Mohammad faces a first-degree murder charge and arson endangering life.

York regional police are calling on witnesses who have not yet spoken to investigators to come forward.