Toronto police offer $50,000 reward in brutal murder of Nighisti Semret

Toronto police putting up signs of  victim Nighisti Semret in cabbagetown

Armed with new information, Toronto Police are once again seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down the man who killed Nighisti Semret and are now offering up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest. 

The 55-year-old Semret was stabbed to death in an alleyway off Ontario Street near Carlton and Parliament streets at roughly 7 a.m. on Oct. 23, 2012. She was returning home from her job at the Delta Chelsea Hotel when the attack took place.

A suspect in the case was captured on video but his face was obscured and none of the leads police were given resulted in an arrest.

Now, police are looking to use DNA evidence to track down the killer.

“Investigators believe the attacker injured himself or was injured during the attack,” said Toronto Police constable Wendy Drummond.

According to police, the DNA of a male was found under Semret’s fingernails, on Semret’s black canvas bag and blood found at the scene. Police believe the attacker may have cut himself with his own knife during the attack.

The DNA samples all belong to the same individual.

Police are now looking for a male who sustained unexplained injuries to his hand or arm around the time of the attack.

“He potentially did not seek medical attention, but if he did, that would be valuable information,” Drummond said. “The way the blood came off the suspect’s hand suggests the injury was more than minor.”

Police have posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or online at www.torontopolice.on.ca/rewards