A man hired to regularly clean an elderly widow’s apartment is now a suspect in her murder, Toronto police said Monday.

In a release, police said they have issued a warrant for first-degree murder for the suspect, who is believed to be living in the Philippines.

The warrant comes almost three months after 78–year-old Manijeh Bostani-Khamsi was found dead in her Wynford Drive condo near the Don Valley Parkway on Nov. 17. Police at the time said there were obvious signs of trauma to her body. They also said they believe someone targeted Bostani-Khamsi, entering her home and killing her the day before she was found.

On Monday investigators said the suspect and his wife had been hired to clean Bostani-Khamsi’s apartment and were well known to the elderly lady.

Police allege the suspect came to the woman’s apartment just before noon on Nov. 16. They say he fled the country with his wife four days later on Nov. 20.

The elderly woman lived alone. Police have not yet revealed how she died.

The couple arrived in Canada as visitors in 2007 and stayed in the country to work as house cleaners, renting several apartments throughout Toronto. Police said the suspect also worked as a healthcare provider for elderly clients.

Police said Monday they have issued a warrant for the arrest of Fernando De Castro, 46, of the Philippines, on first-degree murder charges.

Police are asking anyone who may have had contact with De Castro on the day of the murder or anyone with information to call 416-808-7400or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

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