Man found dead in restaurant after fire victim of homicide: Toronto police

Toronto police investigators say they’re treating the death of a man who was found inside an east-end restaurant on fire early Saturday as a homicide.

Emergency crews responded to the Molon Lave Taverna restaurant at 1176 Kennedy Rd., north of Lawrence Avenue East, for reports of a fire at around 1:54 a.m.

“During the course of search and rescue operations, one occupant was located inside the building. This occupant has been pronounced dead on scene,” Toronto Fire Services Chief Matthew Pegg said in a social media post.

Pegg shared his condolences and said an investigation into what caused the fire is underway in collaboration with Toronto Police.

The fire was extinguished at around 3:30 a.m. and no other injuries were reported.

However, in an update released by homicide and missing persons unit investigators, they said they were taking over the investigation.

They identified the victim as 26-year-old O’Brien Todd.

Officers said they were looking for a suspect, or suspects, inside a stolen car that was seen taking off from the area.

As they released photos of the vehicle in question, investigators said they’re searching for a 2021 white Acura RDX with the Ontario licence plate CCPC 739, which was initially reported stolen from Peel region.

“The occupant(s) should be considered armed and dangerous. If the vehicle is located, please contact police immediately,” the update said.

Todd’s death marks the 41st homicide of 2024 in Toronto.

News Release – Homicide #41/2024, Kennedy Road and Lawrence Avenue Easthttps://t.co/GqXe1k6HpQ pic.twitter.com/Fgq4GAgx2Q

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 23, 2024

On behalf of @Toronto_Fire, I extend condolences to family, friends and all those impacted by this fatal fire. The investigation into the origin, cause and circumstances of this fire is now underway, in collaboration with @TorontoPolice and @ONFireMarshal.

— Matthew Pegg (@ChiefPeggTFS) June 22, 2024