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Suspect arrested in Pickering murder

Elston Coutinho, 34, faces murder charges after a 69-year-old woman was found dead in a burning Pickering home

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Police in Durham have a suspect in custody in connection with the region’s third homicide of the year.

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Just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, crews battling a house fire on Primrose Ct. near Fairport Rd. — near Finch Ave. and Whites Rd. in Pickering — found the body of a 69-year-old inside the home.

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Subsequent examinations determined the woman’s death was a homicide.

The victim’s name and cause of death were not released by police, who at the time said the killing was an isolated incident.

Sandra Coutinho, 34, of Pickering, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder in June, and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Elston Coutinho, 34.

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  1. A Durham Regional Police cruiser.
    Woman charged, suspect ID'd in murder discovered after Pickering fire
  2. A Toronto Police Forensics Unit officer (L) speaks with a Homicide detective after a body was found along the side of the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 401, west of Whites Rd., in Pickering on Friday, July 11, 2025.
    Toronto cops probing murder after body dumped along 401 in Pickering

On Friday, homicide detectives arrested and charged Elston Coutinho with second-degree murder.

He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5421, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume

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