A Toronto man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of a filmmaker whose body was found in a trash compactor of a Liberty Village townhouse complex in June 2023. A jury found Khoa Tran guilty in the death of Reeyaz Habib, 53, at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday. Isabelle Nguyen, Tran's wife, was found guilty of accessory after the fact to manslaughter and indignity to a human body.
A Toronto man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of a filmmaker whose body was found in a trash compactor of a Liberty Village townhouse complex in June 2023.
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Reeyaz Habib, 53, is pictured here.
On Wednesday, a jury found Khoa Tran guilty in the Habib's death. The two had been in a dispute over barbeque smoke. A jury found Khoa Tran guilty in the death of Reeyaz Habib, 53, at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday.
Isabelle Nguyen, Tran's wife, was found guilty of accessory after the fact to manslaughter and indignity to a human body. Habib lived in a condo townhouse above Tran. Court heard that the two had been in a dispute over barbeque smoke coming up from Tran's balcony. Habib was found June 8, 2023 around East Liberty Street and Western Battery Road, according to Toronto police.
His body was wrapped in blankets and duct tape. At trial, Tran testified he was angry at Habib for continuing to complain about his barbeque smoke when he said he tried to compromise. The Crown argued the dispute escalated after Habib threatened to go to the board to have him removed for condo infractions. Tran said he was so angry at Habib that he threw the filmmaker's bicycle in a dumpster in an act of revenge.
He denied killing him and said he was not the person seen in surveillance video throwing items in the condo's underground garbage compactor, where Habib's body would be found hours later. Expert witnesses testified that Tran's fingerprints were on a note and duct tape on Habib's body and that DNA from Tran and his wife were also on the tape.
Court heard that neighbours heard cries for help in the complex at around 3 a.m. Tran bowed his head when he heard the verdict and turned to his wife Nguyen to hold her hand as she wept. The couple held each other tightly before they were led away in handcuffs. Habib's family watched the verdict virtually. Habib was a filmmaker and alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre .
The centre described him as a "gifted storyteller and filmmaker" who was finishing up his first feature, Fat Lady Sriracha, as a writer and director.
"This is a great loss for the CFC and Canada's creative community," the centre said in a statement online after his death. According to the statement, Habib left behind a 15-year career on Bay Street to pursue a passion for filmmaking. Chilliwack man sentenced to life after killing 2 neighbours
Khoa Tran Reeyaz Habib Second-Degree Murder Toronto Barbeque Smoke Dispute
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Toronto Police Lay Hate Charges Against Five Individuals Following Antisemitic ProtestToronto police have charged five individuals with hate-related offenses after a protest in March that promoted hatred toward the Jewish community. The incident occurred on March 15 near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West. The suspects, who attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration, are accused of holding or distributing antisemitic signs. The arrests followed searches conducted on May 31 in Durham and Toronto, resulting in the seizure of clothing and electronic devices. The accused include Syed Hussaini of Whitby, Hosaam Hemdan and Omer Turcan of Toronto, and Hasan Aydin and Yasaf Shaikh of Toronto. They face charges such as wilful promotion of hatred, public incitement of hatred, and wearing a disguise with intent. Police emphasize that wilful promotion of hatred charges require the Attorney General's consent. This adds to a prior charge against Muhammad Anas Sial in April and May. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw stated the force remains relentless in pursuing hate crimes, noting that investigations can lead to arrests long after an incident. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Read more »
Remains of Missing Los Alamos Lab Employee Found in New Mexico ForestThe remains of Melissa Casias, an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory who disappeared in June 2025, were discovered by a hiker in the Carson National Forest. The discovery adds to a series of mysterious disappearances involving employees of sensitive nuclear facilities.
Read more »
Body found near Manitoba Hydro dam identified as missing woman: RCMPThe body of a woman who fell through the ice on Cedar Lake at the end of last year was discovered more than five months after she went missing.
Read more »
Rexdale shooting leaves man in his 30s seriously injuredA shooting in Rexdale has left a man in his 30s seriously injured, Toronto police say.
Read more »