Toronto police say a convicted sex offender wanted on a Canada-wide warrant befriended a “vulnerable individual” and concealed their dead body in a Riverside apartment last month.
Rejean Hermel Perron, 52, was identified as the suspect in a Toronto police indiginity to a human body investigation on Wednesday, after officers discovered a deceased person in the apartment located at Broadview Avenue and Dundas Street East on May 27.
While an autopsy revealed that the deceased died of natural causes, Supt. Kim O’Toole of 55 Division told reporters that “deliberate steps” were taken to keep the body hidden and Perron allegedly used their key fob to attend the apartment after the fact.
“Police are deeply concerned that he may be sustaining himself by exploiting vulnerable individuals as he did in this case,” O’Toole said, adding that investigators believe Perron poses a particular threat to women and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
The deceased was not identified by police.
In 2015, Perron was charged and later convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a sex trade worker.
At the time, police said that the victim was held against her will in an east-end home for five days before she was able to break free and run to safety. Police also said that there was some “form of ritualistic actions” involved in the 2015 crime, but did not elaborate.
Perron remains wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching the conditions of his parole related to that conviction in 2021.
“Until this disturbing incident, there has been no sign of Perron for a number of years. Police are deeply concerned that he may be sustaining himself by exploiting vulnerable individuals as he did in this case,” O’Toole said.
This is a breaking news story. More to come.