Toronto Man Charged With Manslaughter After ‘Unprovoked Attack’ Left 89-Year-Old Woman Dead

A Toronto man who pushed an 89-year-old woman to her death has now been charged with manslaughter after his initial charge of aggravated assault. Identified as Ryan Cunneen, the 37-year-old will appear in court on Tuesday.

An “unprovoked attack” near Yonge and King streets in Toronto’s Financial District left an 89-year-old woman dead. According to the police, Ryan Cunneen was running from an altercation when he pushed the victim who was “simply walking along the sidewalk” and she collapsed sustaining serious injuries to her face and head. The incident was also caught on a surveillance camera and the footage showed a man running after an altercation and pushing an idle victim to the ground.

Cunneen was arrested about an hour later and was charged with aggravated assault as the cause of death of the old woman was unknown at the time. Three days later, following the autopsy, his charge was upgraded to manslaughter. Police also shared that Cunneen also threw a brick through the window of a business before the assault and was charged with mischief under $5,000.

The identity of the victim has not been disclosed and steps are being taken to notify her next-of-kin. Toronto police’s Homicide and Missing Persons Unit is investigating the case. This is the city’s second homicide case of 2023. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Vineet Washington