Amber Alert victim dead, Father Charged with first degree Murder
Last night, an Amber Alert went out on cell phones and televisions across Ontario, looking for 11 year old Riya Rajkumar, less than one hour later, tragically, she was found dead.
At approximately 11:37pm an amber alert was issued stating “Peel Regional Police activate Amber Alert. Victim is Riya Rajkumar age 11. Suspect is Roopesh Rajkumar age 41. Vehicle is a silver Honda Civic plate # ARBV 598. Last known location Eastbound 401. If observed please call 911”
At approximately 12:21 am, less than an hour later the Amber Alert was canceled, as the victim 11-year-old Riya Rajkumar was found dead inside her fathers and leading suspects basement apartment in Brampton.
Initially, the victim's mother called police because the 11-year-old had not been returned home from her scheduled visitation with her father as Riya’s Mother and Father had originally planned so the Father, Roopesh Rajkumar (leading suspect) could take his daughter (victim) Riya out for her birthday.
Her mother received multiple messages from the suspect stating that he intended to harm her daughter which the Mother had shown to Police.Const Danny Marttini spokesperson for the Peel police said “She received information that obviously set her alarms off which is why she attended the division”, Marttini told reporters that the Police “took action right away”.
During the investigation, an address came up for the victim ’s possible whereabouts which were subsequently investigated where the victim was found dead.
Near Orilla on Highway 11 the suspect was arrested after a caller reported seeing the Honda Civic described in the Amber Alert.
Raj is expected to be charged and remained in Peel Police custody overnight. Crown lawyers are expected to meet with police to determine the charges he will face.
Riya’s school Meadowvale Village Public School, where the victim attended grade 5 released a letter today shared on their twitter to parents.
“Dear Meadowvale Village Public School Families:
It is with great sadness that I write this letter to inform you of the tragic death of grade 5 student Riya Rajkumar. As you may already have heard in the news media, Riya died tragically overnight. Police released her name to the public late yesterday evening.
This tragedy has brought tremendous sadness to the students and staff at Meadowvale Village Public School. Members of the Peel District School Board's Critical Incident Response Team have been at the school today to provide support to Riya's friends and classmates, as well as other students and staff. The counsellors will remain here as long as they are needed.
Riya was a well-liked student, and her death is deeply felt by everyone at the school. Even students who did not personally know Riya will also be affected by this tragedy. Here are some ways you can help your child deal with the grief and trauma:
Acknowledge the emotional upset.
Be available to your child. If you don't know the right thing to say, just listen and validate. Acknowledge that we don't always have answers to why these things happen.
Provide a reassuring environment in which your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Encourage your child to experience their emotions in the way that's most comfortable for them. Some people are open about their feelings, while others prefer not to talk about them or may only want to talk to their peers.
Share an experience you might have had dealing with stressful emotions and what helped you cope.
Help your child understand that it's not helpful to engage in speculation and rumours.
Encourage your child to engage in self-care activities, for example, ensure they are eating nutritious meals, getting good sleep and engaging in some form of physical activity.
Encourage your child to follow normal routines as much as possible. Offer them practical support—like helping with homework and catching up on assignments.
Some children react with hostility and anger. Try not to take any outbursts personally. Help your child channel any blame, anger or need for retaliation into productive activities.
Seek support from a medical practitioner, if necessary. In case of emergency, please go directly to your closest hospital, i.e. Credit Valley Hospital.
Be aware of signs that your child needs additional support to deal with this tragedy. Warning signs include: prolonged physical or psychological distress (lack of appetite, sudden weight gain, persistent aches and pains, continued anxiety, apathy, depression or fearfulness), becoming violent towards self or others, or decline in school performance. Please contact me if you would like to speak with a school social worker.
Our hearts go out to Riya's friends and loved ones. Our flags are at half-mast to honor her memory. We have set up a memorial table in the foyer where the school community can go to write messages of remembrance and condolence. As always, please contact me at the school at 905-564-5735, if you have questions.
Stacy Service
Principal”
It is unsure when the suspect will appear in court, however he has been charged with First Degree Murder. Tonight at 5:41pm Peel Regional Police issued a press release saying…
"Region of Peel– Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Homicide and Missing Person’s Bureau have charged a 41 year-old male with the First Degree Murder of his 11-year-old daughter.
The investigation began on Thursday, February 14, 2019, just before 7:00 p.m. when the mother of 11-year-old Riya Rajkumar reported to police that Riya had not been returned home at the expected time after having being out with her father, 41-year-old, Roopesh Rajkumar. The mother was further concerned for the wellbeing of the two of them when Roopesh Rajkumar made comments indicating that he was going to harm himself and his daughter.
Peel Regional Police immediately initiated an investigation using a number of investigative techniques in an attempt to locate the father and daughter. Once all of the criteria were met, an Amber Alert was issued.
Later that evening, Riya was located deceased in a residence in the area of Queen Street and Hansen Road in Brampton. Roopesh Rajkumar was located and arrested by O.P.P. in the Township of Oro-Medonte as a result of information provided in the Amber Alert.
Peel Regional Police maintain custody of Roopesh Rajkumar who is currently in a trauma centre in relation to a medical condition.
Roopesh Rajkumar is charged with First Degree Murder and will attend court in Brampton once he is medically cleared.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call investigators with Homicide and Missing Person’s Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext. 3205. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca."
This will be Peel Regions second Homicide of 2019.
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