Toronto police have confirmed two separate murders involving Indian nationals in December 2025, raising concerns in the Indian community, although officials insist the cases are not linked.

The first incident occurred on **December 20, 2025**, when **Himanshi Khurana**, a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman and Toronto-based digital content creator, was found dead inside a house in the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area. He was reported missing since last night (19 December). Police described it as the city’s **40th murder** of the year, in which **domestic violence** is suspected. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for **Abdul Ghafoori**, 32, of Toronto, charging him with first-degree murder. The victim and the accused knew each other.

In the second case, on **December 23, 2025**, **Shivank Awasthi**, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student studying at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), was shot in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area near the campus. A passerby found him with gunshot wounds; He was declared dead on the spot. This was Toronto’s **41st murder**. The campus was briefly closed, but no continuing threat was found. The suspects fled before the police arrived; No photo of him has been released. Sources vary on their course of study—some say it’s undergraduate life sciences, some say it’s doctoral.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto has expressed deep sorrow over both the deaths, has provided consular assistance to the families and is coordinating with the authorities.

These incidents highlight safety concerns for international students and migrants, although the police investigation continues independently.