The Sudbury double homicide investigation that shook Northern Ontario last spring reached a pivotal moment Monday when authorities apprehended the primary suspect at Toronto Pearson International Airport. After evading capture for nearly eight months, Dominic Prasad, 34, was detained by Canada Border Services Agency officers as he attempted to re-enter the country.
“We’ve been coordinating with international law enforcement partners since Mr. Prasad fled Canada last April,” said Inspector James Killeen of the Greater Sudbury Police Service. “This arrest represents countless hours of investigative work across multiple agencies.”
The April 11th shootings claimed the lives of Melissa Raymond, 42, and her partner David Clarke, 39, at their Spruce Street residence. According to court documents I reviewed, neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots around 2:15 a.m. before witnessing a dark sedan speeding away from the scene.
Within 72 hours of the killings, police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Prasad, who investigators believe crossed into the United States through an unmonitored border point in rural Manitoba. Intelligence gathered by the RCMP suggests Prasad later traveled to India via a third country.
“Digital forensics revealed the suspect had researched border crossing points and flight patterns in the weeks before the homicides,” explained Crown prosecutor Alicia Morrison. “This level of premeditation will factor significantly into the prosecution’s case.”
The breakthrough came when authorities tracked suspicious financial transactions linked to Prasad’s family members in Toronto. These transactions, according to sources at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, suggested preparations for his return.
Community members in Sudbury expressed relief at the arrest. Raymond’s sister, Jennifer Davidson, told me in a phone conversation: “We’ve been holding our breath since April. While nothing brings Melissa and David back, at least now we might get answers about what happened that night.”
Prasad faces two counts of first-degree murder, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and crossing the border illegally. Court records indicate a potential motive stemming from a property dispute between Prasad and the victims over a commercial lot in downtown Sudbury.
“This case highlights both the challenges and successes of modern international fugitive tracking,” noted criminal defense attorney Marc Lefebvre, who is not representing any parties in this case. “The integration of financial intelligence with border security systems has significantly narrowed the options for fugitives.”
During yesterday’s brief court appearance in Toronto, Prasad was remanded into custody pending transfer to Sudbury for arraignment. His lawyer, Simone Bernard, declined to comment on the specifics but stated they would “vigorously examine the evidence and circumstances of his arrest.”
The investigation involved unprecedented cooperation between the Greater Sudbury Police Service, RCMP International Liaison officers, Interpol, and Indian authorities. Documents filed with the Ontario Superior Court reveal that investigators utilized advanced cell tower analysis to track Prasad’s movements immediately after the shootings.
“The technical evidence in this case is substantial,” said former Crown prosecutor Danielle Chen, who now teaches criminal law at Laurentian University. “From digital breadcrumbs to international money transfers, modern homicide investigations increasingly rely on cross-border electronic intelligence.”
For Sudbury’s North End neighborhood, where the killings occurred, the arrest offers some closure. Community organizer Michael Timmins has been coordinating support for families affected by the violence. “These eight months have been difficult for everyone who knew Melissa and David,” he explained. “They were fixtures in our neighborhood—David coached youth hockey and Melissa volunteered at the food bank.”
Prasad is scheduled to appear in Sudbury court on December 15th. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for 25 years. The Crown has indicated they will oppose any bail application given the flight risk and severity of charges.
As this case moves toward trial, it will likely set precedents for how Canadian law enforcement coordinates with international partners in tracking fugitives across multiple jurisdictions. The successful arrest demonstrates the increasing difficulty of escaping justice in an interconnected world where digital and financial footprints often lead authorities to even the most careful fugitives.
