Mississauga Couple Killed: Canada-Wide Warrant Issued for Son
Peel Regional Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for 22-year-old Melissa Merritt’s son, Melissa Merritt, following the deaths of his parents at their Mississauga home. Investigators identified the victims as 59-year-old Margarita Varela-Elizalde and 60-year-old Antonio De Backer, who were found dead after police responded to a residence in the area of Old Derry Road and Second Line West on the afternoon of July 18.
### Police Investigation and Suspect Status
Officers arrived at the scene shortly after 2:00 p.m. following reports of an assault. Upon entering the home, they discovered the bodies of the two victims. Police have officially named the couple’s son, 22-year-old Shaya Shayan, as the primary suspect in the case.
Authorities have characterized the suspect as armed and dangerous, warning members of the public not to approach him if spotted. While the initial dispatch described a medical emergency, the situation was quickly reclassified as a homicide investigation. Investigators have not yet released the specific cause of death or identified the weapon involved in the incident, citing the ongoing nature of the forensic examination.
### Procedural Next Steps
The Peel Regional Police Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau has assumed control of the investigation. A Canada-wide arrest warrant for first-degree murder is currently active, and law enforcement agencies across the country have been alerted to the suspect’s description.
While the Toronto Star and CBC reported that the incident occurred within a residential area, police have cordoned off the property to allow for continued evidence collection. Officials have yet to provide a motive for the double homicide, nor have they indicated whether the suspect has any prior criminal record.
Police are requesting that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect contact the Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers. No further public statements regarding the timeline of the suspect’s movements or potential sightings have been scheduled by the department.