'Giving, loving' Scarborough grandmother mourned, man charged with murder

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in the death of "vibrant"82-year-old Stella Tetsos,who was found dead inside her Scarborough home on Wednesday.

Sinbad King Simba Marshall wasarrested last night and charged withsecond-degree murder and break and enter.

• Scarborough homicide victim, 82, had 'obvious signs of trauma': police

Marshall appeared in Torontocourt Friday morning and has been remanded in custody until Nov. 25.

PeterTsirlis,Tetsos'snephew, said his aunt was a beloved member of his family who leaves behindtwo adultchildren and many grandchildren.

"My aunt was the most giving, loving person," he said Friday. "She was like a second mother when I was growing up. I slept at that house so many times.You always hear of other people going through this, butwhen it happens to be personal, there's no words to explain how you feel."

'Obvious signs of trauma'

Officers responded to a call for unknown trouble at 68 Elfreda Blvd.,in theBirchmountRoad and St.ClairAvenue Eastarea, onWednesday afternoon.Inside, theyfound the victim dead and her body showed "obvious signs of trauma," according to homicide Det. Shannon Dawson.

Apost-mortem examination on Thursday concluded that the cause of death was the result of a blunt-force injury.

"We have no reason to believe that this was targeted," Dawson told reporters outside the home on Thursday afternoon.

The victim also appears to have been robbed. Investigators have confirmed that one item was removed from the home and believe that other items were also taken.

Dawson would not offer specifics about the items.

Well known to neighbours, activegardener

Dawson described the victim as"a vibrant 82-year-old" who was "an important part of this community." She was a widow, mother, grandmother,well-known to neighbours, and was often seen gardening outside her home, she said.

The victimwas found after someone who was concerned about her wellbeing went to her home to check on her, Dawson said. She would not say how the victim died orwhere in the house she was found.

Neighbour MazaJanjanincalled Tetsos's death "really disturbing."

"A woman in her own home at that age," she said through tears.

Neighbour Marissa Corpus describedTetsosas "very friendly" and helpful to people on the street.

"It's just very tragic for all of us," Corpus said.

Dawson characterized the incident as "random," and advised residents to have "heightened awareness of their surroundings."