Toronto Police Seek Homicide Suspect in Assault That Killed Former CBC Producer

Toronto police on Feb. 3, 2023, issued the photograph of homicide suspect Robert Robin Cropearedwolf, 43, wanted for manslaughter in the death of 73-year-old former CBC producer Michael Finlay, who died on Jan. 31, 2023, after a random assault in Toronto on Jan. 24, 2023. Photo Courtesy Toronto Police Handout

Toronto police are seeking homicide suspect Robert Robin Cropearedwolf, age 43, of Toronto, who is wanted for manslaughter in an assault that led to the death of 73-year-old retired CBC producer Michael Finlay.

Finlay was a 31-year veteran with the public broadcaster. He died on Jan. 31 as a result of injury he suffered during an assault on Danforth Avenue on the afternoon of Jan. 24, according to a Feb. 3 police news release.

Police said the suspect was walking along Danforth, encountered the victim, and assaulted him. After the victim “fell to the ground and sustained serious injuries,” the suspect fled the scene.

Toronto police on Feb. 1, 2023, issued the photograph of a suspect wanted for manslaughter in the death of 73-year-old former CBC producer Michael Finlay, who died on Jan. 31, 2023, after a random assault in Toronto on Jan. 24, 2023. Photo Courtesy Toronto Police Handout

At a Feb. 3 news conference, detective Jason Hillier said “numerous witnesses” had come forward and the police had been provided with closed circuit television video, which were “key” in identifying Cropearedwolf.

Hillier spoke directly to the suspect, stating, “If you are watching this, I encourage you to speak to a lawyer and turn yourself in to the nearest police station.”

He said that the victim and assailant were not believed to have known each other and that police believe the assault was random.

Finlay was conscious when he was taken to hospital and police were able to speak with him, said Hillier, noting that “unfortunately ... he ultimately passed away from the injuries.”

On Feb. 1, the Toronto Police Service released an image of the suspect and asked for help from the public in identifying the man.

The news release linked to an earlier release from Jan. 28 that described the suspect as a male, 6 feet tall, in his 20s, with a slim build, saying he was last seen wearing a red paper mask with flames on it, a black sweater, and black pants.

According to a Feb. 1 Toronto Sun report, the suspect allegedly pushed Finlay from behind. Finlay fell to the ground face first, reportedly suffering a crushed lung and head wounds.

The police would not provide or confirm details on the victim’s injuries. When asked, Hillier said, “It’s part of the investigation. And it is for the courts.” The detective said he did not want to “prejudice” a “potential jury pool” going forward.

Known to Police

The Sun reported on Feb. 4 that Cropearedwolf has an extensive criminal history, starting in 2001, when he was wanted by the Calgary Police Service on “several serious warrants.” He was facing three counts of break-and-enter, one count of mischief over $5,000, and one count of failure to comply with a court order.

An individual with the same name as the suspect was arrested in 2011 in Idaho in connection with a string of robberies in California. Reports indicate that at a traffic stop, police found a stolen chequebook, fake driver’s licences and state ID cards, jewelry, electronics, binoculars, bolt cutters, and other burglary-related items, plus several stolen U.S. passports. It is not confirmed that this is the same suspect, however.

Cropearedwolf was also charged in 2017 with several suspected break-ins in the Toronto area, which included alleged thefts of cash, electronics, and jewelry worth over $2 million. He was described by police at the time as being a 5-foot-6-inch male weighing 145 pounds, with long black hair, often braided, with star tattoos on both elbows.

In a Feb. 1 article, CBC said an email had been sent to CBC staff by Cathy Perry, executive director of newsgathering and operations, informing them of Finlay’s death. He was described as an “exceptional storyteller, documentary maker, and editor.”

According to Perry, Finlay travelled the globe to produce radio documentaries for a number of the broadcaster’s programs, including Sunday Morning. “If you worked on a documentary with Michael, you were experiencing the pinnacle of the craft,” the email said.