MONTREAL, Quebec — Major Crimes Division investigators with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) are investigating the fatal assault of 45-year-old Leila Ben Salem.
## MONTREAL, Quebec — Major Crimes Division investigators with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) are investigating the fatal assault of 45-year-old Leila Ben Salem. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2026, inside her newly acquired residence on Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, near Saint-Christophe Street in downtown Montreal. SPVM officers responded to a 911 wellness check at approximately 3:25 p.m. after a colleague witnessing a virtual video meeting raised the alarm when an intruder entered the apartment and attacked Ben Salem. Responding emergency medical personnel located the victim in critical condition; despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Published by Global Report Center
MONTREAL, Quebec — Major Crimes Division investigators with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) are investigating the fatal assault of 45-year-old Leila Ben Salem. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2026, inside her newly acquired residence on Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, near Saint-Christophe Street in downtown Montreal. SPVM officers responded to a 911 wellness check at approximately 3:25 p.m. after a colleague witnessing a virtual video meeting raised the alarm when an intruder entered the apartment and attacked Ben Salem. Responding emergency medical personnel located the victim in critical condition; despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Major Crimes Investigation and Police Response
Following the incident, the SPVM established a command post and sealed off the multi-unit residential building to conduct a tactical search and forensic processing. Tactical officers searched various interior spaces, including building infrastructure and ventilation shafts, while major crimes detectives gathered physical evidence, digital records, and witness testimonies. SPVM spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant confirmed that the death is being treated as the 19th homicide within SPVM jurisdiction in 2026. Investigators are actively attempting to identify and locate a male suspect, while examining potential prior interactions or connections to the victim.
Community Impact and Official Statements
News of Ben Salem's death has raised widespread concern regarding urban security and violent crime in downtown Montreal. Friends, professional colleagues, and members of the local community have expressed deep grief following the sudden loss. SPVM officials urge anyone with potential video footage, surveillance data, or information regarding suspect movements along Boulevard René-Lévesque Est to contact Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133 or submit confidential tips directly to law enforcement authorities. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced as family notifications conclude.
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