Toronto police ID dead man in photo linked to Bruce McArthur case

Toronto police have identified the mystery man in a photo found on Bruce McArthur's computer during their investigation of the alleged serial killer.

In a rare move last month, policereleased the photograph of an unidentified deceased man believed by investigators to be another victim of the 66-year-old landscaper.

More than 70 potential identities had been submitted to them, police said Friday in a release. They identified the man on Thursday,but aren't yet releasing the name.

Meaghan Gray, a spokesperson for Toronto police, would not say Friday how the man was identified or where he was from. The lead investigator, Det.-Sgt. Hank Idsinga, said earlier this week that the man may not be from Toronto.

Investigators will release more details, including potential further criminal charges, after the man's next of kin have been notified, Gray said.

A police source previously told CBC Toronto the image of the dead man was among a cache of pictures of alleged victims found on McArthur'scomputer. Idsinga has refused to confirm that information.

'Thank heavens'

Nicki Ward, an LGBT advocate, helped retouch an image of the deceased man. That new image was front and centre at Wednesday's news conference at police headquarters.

Ward said she's relieved police finally know who the man is.

"My immediate response was 'thank heavens,'"Ward told CBC Toronto.

She said she's hopeful the breakthrough will restore some of the man's dignity.

"We can actually look at them like humans and represent them as they were in life," she said.

Charged in January

McArthur, 66, is charged with seven counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of seven men, most of whom were known to frequent Toronto's Gay Village.

In mid-January, McArthurwas arrested and chargedin the deaths of Andrew Kinsman and SelimEsen.Kinsman, 49, went missing from Toronto's Cabbagetownneighbourhood last June, while Esen, 44, was last seen in the Yonge and Bloor area a year ago.

Later in January, police charged McArthur with three additional counts of first-degree murder in the deaths ofMajeedKayhan, 58,SoroushMahmudi, 50,and Dean Lisowick, 47.Police have saidKayhanwent missing in October 2012 andMahmudiin August 2015. Police said earlier this week thatLisowickwas killed in April 2016.

In late February, McArthur was charged in the death ofSkandaraj Navaratnam, 40. Earlier this week, he was charged in the death of AbdulbasirFaizi, 42, who went missing in 2010.

Investigation continues

The search for evidence is slated to pick up in May as police getset to search 75 pieces of both public and private property with canine units, including a number of homes where McArthurdid landscaping work.

This week, Idsingasaid investigators have finished searching 20 planters seized from various locations around the city, with no additional remains found inside.

McArthur'sThorncliffePark apartment is still being searched, he said.

Investigators are also reviewing cold case files dating back to the 1970sinvolving gay men who were killed in Toronto's downtown after leaving bars popular in the LGBT community.