Family Responds After Death of Woman Set on Fire on Toronto Bus

Family Responds After Death of Woman Set on Fire on Toronto Bus
A logo at the Toronto Police Services headquarters, in Toronto, on Aug. 9, 2019. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov
Andrew Chen
Updated:

The family of a young woman who was attacked and set on fire on a Toronto transit bus last month has released a statement after the woman died from her injuries on July 5.

The assault took place on June 17 at around 12:30 p.m. aboard a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus in the Kipling Avenue and Dundas Street West area. The female victim was attacked by a man, who poured a flammable liquid on her and then set the substance on fire, causing the woman to burn.
The victim, in her 20s, was rushed to the hospital with second- to third-degree burns, Toronto Police Service spokesperson Const. Alex Li said at a press conference on June 19.
The victim’s family confirmed her death in a message on a GoFundMe campaign set up last week to support her ongoing medical treatment.

“To my sister, we love you and we miss you. We wish her soul to rest in peace,” Dawa, the victim’s sister, said in the message on July 6.

Dawa noted that her sister was on her way to work as a professional caregiver when the tragic incident took place.

“My sister lived a life of service to others and cared for many people,” she said. “Thank you everyone for all the support. We are so grateful, and it has been a difficult time.”

She said that the collected donations of roughly $36,800 will now be used for the upcoming funeral and healthcare expenses to date.

“At this time, we ask everyone to kindly please respect our privacy,” Dawa said. “Thank you for understanding and again, for your generosity. We’ll never forget your kindness.”

The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Tenzin Norbu of Toronto. He was previously charged with attempted murder, assault with a weapon, common nuisance endangering the lives, safety, or health of the public, and mischief over $5,000 interfering with property.

Li said those charges would be upgraded as a result of the victim’s death. Homicide officers have also been notified.

The charges have not been proven in court.

Police said the attack was an isolated incident, and that the victim and the suspect didn’t know each other.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.