MONTREAL – A man who was charged with killing a Canada Revenue Agency employee as she worked from home in Montreal in September has died in custody.
The Quebec coroner’s office says it was informed of Youcef Moussaoui’s death on Nov. 2, but did not give further details.
The 33-year-old was facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of Leïla Ben Salem, 45.
Police found her body in a downtown Montreal home on Sept. 22 during a wellness check and arrested Moussaoui the following month.
Montreal police confirmed that the accused’s death puts an end to the criminal proceedings, without a trial.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones,” the force wrote in an email. “We are aware that this situation deprives them of the judicial process.”
The force said its investigation showed that Moussaoui had done some work at Ben Salem’s home and that a “relationship of trust” had developed between them.
“Evidence gathered by investigators indicated that the accused was experiencing financial difficulties and was facing demands for repayment for important sums that had been lent to him,” the police force said.
“Investigators also gathered evidence showing that financial transactions had been carried out on the victim’s accounts after her death.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both offered condolences to Ben Salem’s family, colleagues and loved ones in the House of Commons in September.
Carney said Ben Salem was working when she was attacked.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2026.
