Ronan Avenue killing stuns Wanless Park

The quiet streets of Wanless Park are not often home to Toronto’s grizzliest crimes, but local residents have been reeling from a murder that rocked the neighbourhood.

On Nov. 25, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of his mother’s murder. That afternoon, a woman had been found suffering from multiple stab wounds in a home on Ronan Avenue. Shortly after she arrived in hospital, she was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as Janet Williams, 60. Her son, Neil Williams, a university student who had been living at home, was taken into police custody.

Although Toronto Police Service was quick to allege that the murder was familial and not a threat to the neighbourhood, some Lawrence Park residents are still shocked that the crime happened so close to home. Andrea Frenke, who lives just a few blocks away from Ronan Avenue, said that learning about the alleged murder was eerie.

“I didn’t know the family,” she said, “but it’s a close neighbour-hood, so there is a chance that I know someone who did.”

She takes comfort, however, in knowing that crimes like this do not often happen in Wanless Park.

“In general, it’s a very safe place to live,” she said. “I don’t think the crime reflects that poorly on the neighbourhood.” 

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