Condolences pour in for Montreal woman murdered while on videoconference at home; police release person of interest
Posted September 24, 2026 1:23 pm.
Last Updated September 24, 2026 4:45 pm.
White flowers were placed outside of the downtown Montreal apartment of Leïla Ben Salem, the 45-year-old woman who was fatally attacked Tuesday afternoon while she was on a video call with a colleague.
Montreal police are still searching for a suspect. Authorities spoke to a person of interest Tuesday, but the man was eventually released. Police would not confirm his connection to Ben Salem.
Ben Salem was a mother to a 12-year-old boy and worked for the Canada Revenue Agency.
“She was in a video conference and then someone came into her apartment, this just shocked me,” said neighbour Tatyana Gonza.
Speaking in the House of Commons Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney offered his condolences to Ben Salem’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.
“Ms. Ben Salem was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians — a duty she was performing at the time of the attack,” the prime minister said.
“The Government of Canada and all members of this House will do everything in their power to support law enforcement so that the perpetrator of this shameful crime faces the full weight of the law.”
Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the federal Conservative, also offered his condolences.
Montreal police (SPVM) say officers were called to a building on René-Lévesque Boulevard, near Saint-Christophe Street, around 3:25 p.m. after a colleague contacted 911 to request a wellness check.
Officers found Ben Salem unconscious inside the apartment with serious injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ben Salem honoured by many
In a statement, the union representing CRA employees said it was “shocked and heartbroken” by Ben Salem’s death and offered condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
“We condemn the violence that took her life,” the Union of Taxation Employees said, adding it will work with Montreal Local 10008 to support Ben Salem’s colleagues and assist her family.
The organization SOS violence conjugale also addressed the killing in an Instagram post, connecting it to a recent Montreal march against violence toward women. The group described the death as a femicide, while acknowledging that authorities have not yet determined whether the killing was connected to an intimate or post-separation relationship.
The group called on people to check in on women in their lives who may be experiencing violence and urged political parties to outline measures they would take to address violence against women.
Misogyny and violence against women
Océane Corbin, a researcher from UQAM on online misogyny, says women’s safety needs to be taken more seriously.
“I guess now the most important thing is that the women have to feel safe,” said Corbin. “So, when it comes to those men, before we can talk about how to help them, I think what is necessary actually is how to make sure that they cannot cause more harm to those women.”
“It is so much violence that most of it can be prevented, and I think this is where the anger also comes from, and the tiredness of it all,” added Corbin.
As the Quebec election approaches, Corbin says she hopes politicians start taking concrete steps in ensuring the decrease in femicide cases.
“We know that some politicians are talking about it, but how serious is it?” said Corbin. “Like, is it actually going to be something that once elected, they’re going to care about? Because 18 women died this year, and the year is not even over yet. So it’s more than an emergency now.”
Julie St-Pierre-Gaudreault, with the Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes, says an additional $45 million is needed for first-stage shelters. Its 37-member shelters recorded 9,000 refusals due to a lack of space last year.
“Nine thousand is a lot of women,” St-Pierre-Gaudreault said. “When you think about the fact that some of them could be in a really dangerous situation that could have homicide risk.”
She says leaving an abusive relationship can be a particularly dangerous time for women.
“It’s more the fact that he is sensing that is losing the control over her because she’s doing the step leave the house. So that could be a situation where danger is more present.”
If you or someone you know needs, help call SOS violence conjugale at 1-800-363-9010
And if you fear that you may become violent towards your partner, call 514-270-8462
