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Bruce McArthur Case
Between 2010 and 2017, eight men, most of whom had ties to Toronto’s Gay Village, disappeared. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) initially dismissed the idea that a serial killer was responsible. But when more gay men went missing, the investigation became the largest in TPS history. It also involved the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other law enforcement agencies, as well as two task forces. The investigation led to the arrest of Bruce McArthur, a self-employed landscaper who had hidden the remains of his victims in planter boxes. McArthur pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. The TPS was harshly criticized for its handling of the case. As a result, a unit dedicated to the investigation of missing persons was formed.