Further clues in Cabbagetown murder

Further clues in Cabbagetown murder

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of Nighisti Semret last October. The 55-year-old woman was brutally attacked in a Cabbagetown laneway on her way home from work as a cleaner at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. She was stabbed a number of times with a large kitchen-style knife, which had a blade at least 20 centimeters long. Semret succumbed to her injuries in hospital. At a press conference at police headquarters on May 6, D/Sgt. Gary Giroux said the victim was stabbed so violently at least one of her wounds reached from her front torso to her spine. He also provided details of the forensic examination. Male DNA was found underneath the right hand fingernail of the deceased, on the canvas portion of the umbrella used by a citizen who came to the aid of the deceased and on the victim’s black canvas bag. “Those profiles are from the same individual but it does not hit on the national data bank at this point in time,” Giroux said. “The Homicide Squad is again asking the community in this particular area to think back in relation to the time of this particular attack about an individual that may have had a hand or an arm wound that may or may not have been medically treated.” Giroux said the wound suffered by the suspect could have been self-inflicted during the struggle. He said robbery may have also been a motive as the suspect left blood at the opening of the victim’s canvas bag. The suspect is described as a white man, 5’10” to 6’2”, 150 to 200 lbs., with a medium build and wearing a dark ¾-length dark coat that buttons up the front, a dark hat with reflective material with a peak and dark shoes. Surveillance footage shows the suspect following the victim through the rain holding his right hand in his jacket. Anyone with information is asked to contact D/Sgt. Gary Giroux at 416-808-7387 or the Homicide Squad at 416-808-7400. Tips can be made to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave a Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.