Executive Summary
- Keith Appleby, 51, died on Dec. 29 from injuries sustained in a deliberate tent fire.
- Loewen Wolfe, 36, has been charged with First Degree Murder by Toronto Police.
- Investigators allege the accused used debris to accelerate the fire on Dec. 26.
- This incident marks the 43rd homicide in Toronto for the year 2025.
The Toronto Police Service has charged a 36-year-old man with first-degree murder following an investigation into a fire at a downtown encampment that claimed the life of a 51-year-old man. The charges were upgraded after the victim, who was pulled from a burning tent, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
According to an official news release from the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to reports of a fire in the area of Charles Street and Yonge Street at approximately 6:11 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025. Investigators allege that the accused, identified as Loewen Wolfe of Toronto, deliberately ignited a tent and mattress. Authorities further allege that Wolfe threw various items on top of the structure to accelerate the blaze.
The victim, identified by police as Keith Appleby, 51, was rescued from the fire and transported to a nearby hospital in life-threatening condition. Despite medical intervention, Appleby was pronounced deceased on Monday, December 29, 2025. Following his death, the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit took carriage of the investigation.
Wolfe has been charged with First Degree Murder and is scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Police officials noted that this incident marks Toronto’s 43rd homicide of 2025.
Investigative Outlook
The escalation of this case to a homicide investigation underscores the severity of the alleged actions and the vulnerability of individuals residing in temporary shelters. As the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit continues its inquiries, the legal proceedings will likely focus on the intent behind the alleged arson. This case adds to the year’s homicide statistics in Toronto, reflecting ongoing challenges regarding public safety in the city’s downtown core. It is important to note that Loewen Wolfe is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
