Bruce McArthur: The Chilling Crimes of Canada’s Most Notorious Serial Killer
Serial killers have long fascinated and horrified society, and few cases in Canadian history have been as shocking and disturbing as that of Bruce McArthur. For nearly a decade, McArthur hunted men from Toronto’s Gay Village, targeting vulnerable immigrants, closeted men, and individuals struggling with addiction or homelessness.
Operating under the cover of his landscaping business, McArthur systematically lured his victims to their deaths, disposing of their remains in planter boxes and backyard gardens at clients' homes. The horrific nature of his crimes left the city of Toronto in shock when the truth finally emerged in 2018.
This in-depth blog post will examine McArthur’s life, his victims, how he was caught, the trial, and the impact his case had on Toronto and law enforcement.
Bruce McArthur’s Double Life: Who Was He?
A Seemingly Normal Past
Born October 8, 1951, in Lindsay, Ontario.
Grew up in a strict, conservative home.
Moved to Toronto and married Janice Campbell, raising two children.
Worked as a traveling salesman, living a normal suburban life.
Coming Out and a Dark Transformation
In 1997, he came out as gay and divorced his wife.
Became active in Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community.
Started working as a landscaper, gaining access to private properties.
However, behind his charming, friendly persona lurked a dangerous predator.
McArthur’s Murders: A Serial Killer Hiding in Plain Sight
Between 2010 and 2017, men vanished without a trace from Toronto’s Gay Village. Some were last seen leaving bars, while others disappeared after arranging dates on Grindr.
The common denominator? They all had some connection to Bruce McArthur.
How Did He Choose His Victims?
McArthur primarily targeted vulnerable men, including:
Immigrants from South Asia and the Middle East.
Closeted men who could not safely come out.
Individuals with unstable housing or substance abuse issues.
He used dating apps like Grindr to arrange meetups.
Some victims worked for him in his landscaping business.
How Did He Kill?
Lured victims into his apartment or van.
Drugged them into submission.
Restrained them using ropes, handcuffs, or chains.
Strangled them with a ligature (a rope or belt).
Photographed their bodies in disturbing poses.
Dismembered them and hid their remains in planters.
The most horrifying part? McArthur kept trophies—souvenirs from his victims such as jewelry, ID cards, and photographs.
The Victims: Eight Lives Stolen
Between 2010 and 2017, McArthur lured men to their deaths. Many of his victims were immigrants or marginalized individuals, which may have helped him evade capture for so long.
Here are detailed accounts of each victim—who they were, their backgrounds, and the tragic circumstances of their disappearances.
1. Skandaraj "Skanda" Navaratnam (40)
Last seen: September 6, 2010
Background: A Tamil refugee who fled Sri Lanka due to civil war violence.
Personality: Described as kind, intelligent, and hardworking.
McArthur Connection: He had dated McArthur and also worked for him as a landscaper.
Disappearance
Skanda was last seen leaving Zipperz, a popular Toronto gay bar, with an unknown man. He never returned home. His friends and community members quickly became concerned, but his case went cold.
What happened?
McArthur lured him to his apartment, strangled him, and later dismembered his body. His remains were buried in a client’s backyard.
2. Abdulbasir "Basir" Faizi (42)
Last seen: December 28, 2010
Background: A married Afghan immigrant with two daughters.
Secret Life: While outwardly living a traditional family life, Faizi secretly visited Toronto’s Gay Village.
McArthur Connection: They met online.
Disappearance
Faizi left work early, telling his wife he was going out with friends. He never returned home. His car was found abandoned near a ravine, close to where McArthur stored his landscaping tools.
What happened?
McArthur strangled him and took post-mortem photos of his body. His remains were found in planter boxes at a client’s home.
3. Majeed "Hamid" Kayhan (58)
Last seen: October 25, 2012
Background: A devout Muslim and Afghan immigrant.
Family Man: He had children and grandchildren but struggled with his secret sexuality.
McArthur Connection: Kayhan had a romantic interest in McArthur.
Disappearance
Kayhan’s family filed a missing persons report. However, police treated his case as low priority, assuming he had left voluntarily.
What happened?
McArthur strangled him and disposed of his body in planters. His remains were later recovered from a backyard.
4. Soroush Mahmudi (50)
Last seen: August 14, 2015
Background: Iranian refugee, married with children.
McArthur Connection: No known prior connection.
Unique Case: Unlike McArthur’s other victims, Mahmudi was not openly gay.
Disappearance
Mahmudi’s wife reported him missing when he didn’t come home from work. There was no trace of him.
What happened?
McArthur lured him to his home, strangled him, and hid his remains in planters.
5. Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam (37)
Last seen: August 2015
Background: Tamil refugee facing deportation.
McArthur Connection: No known relationship.
Unique Case: Never reported missing.
Disappearance
Kanagaratnam had just lost his asylum claim and was living in hiding, fearing deportation.
What happened?
McArthur strangled him and buried his remains in a client’s backyard. His family in Sri Lanka had no idea what happened until police identified his remains in 2018.
6. Dean Lisowick (43-44)
Last seen: Unknown (no official missing persons report).
Background: Former sex worker and homeless.
McArthur Connection: No known personal connection.
Disappearance
Lisowick was never reported missing, which made his case especially difficult to solve.
What happened?
McArthur killed him, possibly believing that no one would notice. His remains were later discovered in planter boxes.
7. Selim Esen (44)
Last seen: March 20, 2017
Background: Turkish immigrant, struggling with addiction.
McArthur Connection: Met online.
Disappearance
Esen was reported missing after he failed to attend a community event. His case, along with Andrew Kinsman’s disappearance, led to the Project Prism investigation.
What happened?
McArthur lured him in, strangled him, and took disturbing photos before disposing of his body.
8. Andrew Kinsman (49)
Last seen: June 26, 2017
Background: A well-respected activist in Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community.
McArthur Connection: They had dated in the past.
Disappearance
Kinsman was highly organized, so when he missed work, friends immediately sounded the alarm.
Break in the Case
Kinsman had written “Bruce” in his calendar, providing the crucial lead that led to McArthur’s arrest.
The Investigation: How Police Finally Caught McArthur
Early Suspicion and Project Houston (2012-2014)
After several men disappeared between 2010-2012, Toronto police launched Project Houston, a task force investigating their disappearances. However, lack of evidence caused the case to be closed in 2014.
Project Prism: A Renewed Investigation (2017)
In 2017, after Andrew Kinsman disappeared, Toronto police reopened the investigation under Project Prism.
Breakthrough Moments
Kinsman’s Calendar: Investigators discovered he had written "Bruce" in his calendar on the day he disappeared.
Surveillance Footage: Cameras captured Kinsman getting into McArthur’s van.
Tracking McArthur’s Movements: Police reviewed his landscaping client list, linking him to locations where remains were found.
The Arrest: A Race Against Time
On January 18, 2018, police raided McArthur’s apartment. What they found was chilling:
A restrained man inside—potentially his next victim.
Blood evidence throughout the apartment.
A cache of photographs showing his victims before and after their deaths.
What Was Found at Crime Scenes?
Human remains in planter boxes across Toronto.
Bones buried in gardens at his landscaping sites.
A bag of zip ties, ropes, and syringes in his van.
The Trial and Sentencing
Guilty Plea
On January 29, 2019, McArthur pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder.
Sentencing
He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. This means McArthur will be 91 years old before he is even eligible to apply for parole.
The Impact: What Changed After the McArthur Case?
1. Increased Scrutiny on Police Handling of LGBTQ+ Cases
Many in Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community criticized police for ignoring concerns about a serial killer for years. The case sparked major changes in how police handle missing persons cases.
2. Stricter Regulations on Landscaping Businesses
Since McArthur used gardening sites to dispose of bodies, Toronto introduced new safety protocols for independent contractors.
3. Improved LGBTQ+ and Minority Outreach Programs
The case exposed systemic discrimination, leading to better support systems for LGBTQ+ people and racial minorities.
Final Thoughts: A Case That Haunts Canada
The Bruce McArthur case is one of the most disturbing in Canadian history. His ability to evade capture for nearly a decade raises troubling questions about how society protects marginalized people.
Books and Documentaries on Bruce McArthur
For a deeper dive, check out these true crime books:
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