Abducted 11-year-old Ontario girl found dead; father to be charged with first-degree murder

The search for an 11-year-old girl who police believe was abducted by her father has ended in tragedy.

Peel police said the body of Riya Rajkumar, who was the subject of an Amber Alert, was found at a home in Brampton. Her father, 41-year-old Roopesh Rajkumar, was taken into custody and will be charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death.

Riya was a student at Meadowvale Village Public School, which is located on Old Derry Road near Meadowvale Road in Mississauga.

“Our hearts go out to Riya’s friends and loved ones,” the school said in a letter to parents that was posted on its website on Friday. “Riya was a well-liked student, and her death is deeply felt by everyone at the school.”

“This tragedy has brought tremendous sadness to the students and staff at Meadowvale Village Public School. Members of the Peel District School Board’s Critical Incident Response Team have been at the school today to provide support to Riya’s friends and classmates, as well as other students and staff. The counsellors will remain here as long as they are needed.”

WATCH: Police update investigation after abducted 11-year-old girl found dead in Brampton

 

The 11-year-old girl did not live with her father on a full-time basis, police said. She was dropped off at a gas station in Mississauga around 3 p.m. Thursday so he could take her out for her birthday.

When he failed to return the child to her mother at 6:30 p.m. she notified police.

Const. Danny Marttini said at around 7 p.m., the mother told officers that she received concerning comments from Roopesh about harming himself and his daughter.

 

The Amber Alert was issued at 11 p.m. Eastern. Peel police said Riya was found dead around midnight, and her father was arrested by provincial police a short time later in Orillia.

“My heart aches for this family, and as a parent, I can’t even begin to imagine what the mom is going through,” Peel police Const. Akhil Mooken said.

“As one can expect in a tragic situation like this where your daughter goes to spend her birthday, and especially on Valentine’s Day, with the father, you expect your child to come home.”

Peel police’s homicide and missing persons unit have taken over the investigation. Marttini said charges have not yet been laid against Roopesh.

From 7 p.m. until when the Amber Alert was issued, police said they were searching for the father and daughter. But when the pair was not found, Peel notified OPP and an Amber Alert was issued.

Police found Riya’s body during the investigation and then her father was arrested in a high-risk takedown with OPP, which Peel police would not elaborate further.

Marttini said the father, who was the mother’s ex-boyfriend, was staying in a section of the home in Brampton. However, police have not said how the home is connected to Roopesh and his family.

As police continue to investigate the murder, they also expressed frustration with people who called 911 to complain about the late hour the alert was sent. But police said it was thanks to someone receiving the alert that they were able to find the suspect and his vehicle in Orillia.