MONTREAL, Quebec — Leila Ben Salem, a 45-year-old mother, has been identified in local reporting as the woman killed inside her downtown Montreal apartment on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in a case now being investigated as the city’s 19th homicide of the year.
Montreal police were called at approximately 3:25 p.m. to conduct a wellness check at an apartment building on René-Lévesque Boulevard near Saint-Christophe Street in the Ville-Marie borough.
Officers found a 45-year-old woman unresponsive inside the apartment. Her death was confirmed at the scene, and investigators later determined that she had been the victim of a homicide.
Local reporting later identified the victim as Leïla Ben Salem.
Leila Ben Salem Killed During Virtual Work Meeting
According to TVA Nouvelles, Ben Salem was participating in a virtual work training session when the attack occurred.
The report states that she worked for the Canada Revenue Agency and was online with a colleague when someone allegedly arrived at her home. A colleague is believed to have contacted emergency services to request a welfare check after becoming concerned.
When emergency responders arrived, they attempted lifesaving measures, but Ben Salem was pronounced dead at the residence.
Police initially treated the case as a suspicious death before the Major Crimes Section determined that she had been killed.
Family Remembers Leila Ben Salem
Ben Salem’s sister, Melen Ben Salem, spoke publicly from Tunisia following the killing.
She remembered her sister as a kind and generous woman who cared deeply for others. According to TVA Nouvelles, Ben Salem was the mother of a 12-year-old boy and had only recently returned to Montreal from Tunisia.
She had also recently moved into the downtown condominium where she was killed.
Former neighbors who spoke to local media described her as kind, adding to the shock surrounding the violent nature of her death.
Police Search for Suspect
As of the latest reporting Wednesday, no arrest had been announced.
TVA Nouvelles reported that investigators had identified a person of interest or leading suspect, but that individual remained at large more than 24 hours after the killing.
Montreal police have not publicly confirmed the exact relationship between Ben Salem and the person suspected in the attack.
Authorities have also not publicly announced a definitive motive.
Reports have indicated that investigators were considering multiple possibilities, including whether the killing may have involved an intimate-partner context, but police had not officially confirmed that theory.
Montreal Police Treat Death as City’s 19th Homicide
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal confirmed early Wednesday that Ben Salem’s death was being investigated as a homicide.
It marked the 19th homicide recorded on Montreal police territory in 2026.
A security perimeter was established outside the apartment building, while forensic technicians and Major Crimes investigators examined the residence and surrounding area.
A police command post was also deployed as investigators worked to gather information about the circumstances leading to the killing.
Investigation Into Leila Ben Salem’s Death Continues
Several important questions remain unanswered, including why Ben Salem was targeted, how the assailant entered the residence and what relationship, if any, existed between the victim and the person police are seeking.
Investigators are expected to examine surveillance footage, digital evidence, witness accounts and other information as they reconstruct the events surrounding her death.
No criminal charges had been publicly announced in connection with the homicide at the time of publication.
Leila Ben Salem Funeral and Obituary Information
A verified funeral-home obituary or public funeral announcement for Leila Ben Salem had not been located at the time this article was prepared.
Her family may release information about visitation, funeral services or memorial arrangements once preparations have been completed.
Those wishing to pay their respects should rely on announcements directly from Ben Salem’s family or an authorized funeral provider before sharing service details.
Ben Salem leaves behind a young son and grieving relatives who are now mourning a sudden and violent loss.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal and reporting from TVA Nouvelles and La Presse Canadienne as of September 23, 2026. Police have confirmed that a 45-year-old woman was killed in the Ville-Marie apartment and that the case is Montreal’s 19th homicide of 2026. Local reporting identifies the victim as Leila Ben Salem. The investigation remains ongoing, no definitive motive has been publicly confirmed, and no suspect had been reported arrested in the latest information reviewed.