Arrest Made in Pickering Homicide Case; Suspect Charged with Second Degree Murder
On August 1, 2025, officers with the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) homicide unit arrested 34-year-old Elston Coutinho in connection with the death of a 69-year-old woman. Police stated that Coutinho was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant related to the incident.
The case began on June 11, 2025, when West Division officers responded to reports of a house fire near Primrose Court and Fairport Road in Pickering. According to police, the woman was found deceased inside the residence. Following a post-mortem examination, the investigation was taken over by the homicide unit. DRPS reported that this is the third homicide in Durham Region in 2025.
Coutinho has been charged with second degree murder and, according to police, was held for a bail hearing. Police noted that the allegations against Coutinho have not yet been proven in court.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective French of the DRPS homicide unit. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online or by phone to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
The investigation and subsequent arrest were detailed in an official DRPS media release issued on August 4, 2025.