Man charged with murder after woman is killed during virtual work meeting

A man has been charged with first-degree murder following the shocking death of a woman who was killed while she was in a virtual meeting with colleagues.

Leila Ben Salem was found dead at her apartment in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Canada, on September 22 following a request for a wellness check.

Local channel CTV News reports that Youcef Moussaoui, 33, has now been charged with the murder of the 45-year-old, who worked for the Canada Revenue Agency.

He appeared via video link in a Montreal court last Friday, where he did not enter a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 21.

The exact motive for the murder remains unclear, however local authorities have said that Salem’s murder was not related to domestic violence

‘The various pieces of evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including the alleged motive for the murder, will be made public during the legal proceedings,’ police said.

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Story from Jam Press (Virtual Meeting Murder) Pictured: Leila Ben Salem. Woman, 45, murdered in own home while on a video call with work colleagues A man has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was killed in her apartment while she was on a virtual work meeting. Youcef Moussaoui, 33, appeared by video link at the Montreal courthouse in Canada on Friday (16 Oct), where he was charged over the death of Leila Ben Salem, 45. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employee had been on a video call with work colleagues when she was killed, as reported by the Montreal Gazette. Moussaoui was arrested on Thursday (15 Oct) afternoon after police issued a warrant for his arrest, CBC reported. Police have said the killing did not take place in the context of domestic violence, but have not revealed a motive. ?The various pieces of evidence gathered during the criminal investigation, including the alleged motive for the murder, will be made public during the legal proceedings,? the force said in a statement. Speaking outside court, Moussaoui?s defence lawyer, Maria Vivas, told reporters she did not know what the relationship was between the victim and the accused and needed to review the evidence, according to CTV News. The accused has no criminal record in Quebec. Ben Salem was found dead on Tuesday, September 22, after officers were called to carry out a wellness check at her apartment on Ren?-L?vesque Boulevard, near Saint-Christophe Street, at 3:25 pm. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said her death was Montreal?s 19th homicide of the year. Ben Salem was a member of Local 10008 of the Union of Taxation Employees, part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). Paying tribute days after her death, PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa said: ?It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic death of Leila Ben Salem. ?On behalf of the PSAC, I offer my sincerest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all who loved her. ?Violence has no place in our society. The entire union is in mourning, resolved to continue the fight to build a better world where everyone can live and work in safety and dignity. ?Our hearts go out to Leila?s family, her local branch, and all members grieving this tragedy.? Federal party leaders also paid their respects, with Prime Minister Mark Carney offering condolences to her family, colleagues and loved ones on behalf of the government. Addressing the House of Commons, Carney said: ?Ms Ben Salem was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault.? He also pledged support for police so that ?the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price?. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre described her as ?a highly valued public servant who tragically lost her life?. The CRA also offered its condolences. Moussaoui is due to appear in court again on 21 December. ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE: Fair Dealing / Fair Use: In limited cases, Jam Press may distribute material under fair dealing/fair use principles for legitimate editorial reporting purposes. Jam Press accepts responsibility for licensed editorial publisher usage only. Any additional client usage, including use across owned social media channels, commercial marketing or non-editorial purposes, remains the responsibility of the client.

Moussaoui, who does not have a criminal record in Quebec, was taken into custody last Thursday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Ben Salem’s death is the 19th homicide recorded in Montreal so far this year.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, saying: ‘Ms. Ben Salem was a valued member of the Canada Revenue Agency, dedicated to serving Canadians, which she was doing at the time of her assault.’

Carney added that the government would do what it could to ensure ‘the perpetrator of this shameful crime pays the full price.’

Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to questions from journalists as he makes his way to a meeting of the Liberal caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described her as ‘a treasured member of the public service who tragically lost her life’.

‘We Conservatives also wish to share our condolences with the family of Ms. Ben Salem,’ he added.

The murder comes just days after another shocking crime, in which a man was accused of decapitating two members of his family with a chainsaw at their home in Alabama.

Thomas Steele, 47, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after Christy Deloach, 65, and 85-year-old Dora Boone were found dead at their home in Mobile on Monday.

Thomas Steele, 47, was charged with two counts of murder. Mobile County Metro Jail

Police made the grim discovery after his aunt called 911 to report that Steele, who she said is bipolar, had begun ‘doing some bizarre things’ after he came off his medication.

According to transcripts reported by WBKO News, she told police that he gave away his phone and car.

Steele, who gave a disturbing grin in his mugshot photo, appeared in court late last week, and is likely to undergo medical evaluation to see whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.

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Original source Man charged with murder after woman is killed during virtual work meeting

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