Mississauga Murder Victim Was Just 13
Posted December 11, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Any murder is tragic.
But when it turns out to be a young girl whose life was just beginning, it almost transcends tragedy.
Peel Police have now identified the victim in the region’s 27th homicide of the year. She’s 13-year-old Alexandra Firgin-Hewie (pictured).
The Mississauga teen was found dead early Thursday morning, and two people, a man and a woman, have since been arrested.
Rafael Lasota, 25, and Michelle Liard, 19, were both detained on Thursday and are now facing charges of first-degree murder.
Lasota lived at the home where the teen was discovered, and Liard is reportedly his girlfriend.
They were apprehended at a park not far from the crime scene, and witnesses say the man appeared to be heavily intoxicated.
No motive is currently known, and it hasn’t been revealed how the young girl died. A post mortem is scheduled for Friday.
The investigation began at 1:20am when police responded to a 911 call from a residence on Bonnymede Drive in Mississauga. Upon arrival they discovered the deceased teen.
Peel Police sealed off the area around Southdown Road and Royal Windsor Drive, and their investigation is ongoing.
They aren’t revealing much, but apparently a mother and her son lived in the upstairs portion of the home, and the daughter and her boyfriend lived in the basement.
A neighbour said they could see a body and a trail of blood in the backyard of the home.
“It must be horrific circumstances for the family,” said P.C. J.P. Valade. “I can’t speak for what the motivation was behind all of this, that is part of the investigation, however, it’s extraordinarily tragic and we will continue to investigate this agresssively just like we investigate all our homicides.”
Anyone with information should contact the Homicide Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205. Witnesses can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
