Woman found dead in Montreal remembered as advocates renew calls to combat violence against women

CRIME Woman found dead in Montreal remembered as advocates renew calls to combat violence against women By Alessia Simona Maratta & Felicia Parrillo Global News Posted September 24, 2026 8:50 pm 2 min read Leila Ben Salem was on a Zoom call Tuesday afternoon and later found dead after police were called to her condo for a wellness check. Her union is mourning her death while women's groups are calling attention to what they describe as another femicide. Felicia Parrillo has the story. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE This story contains discussion of violence against women. Support is available for anyone experiencing intimate partner violence through local shelters, crisis lines and community organizations. A 45-year-old woman found dead in her downtown Montreal condominium this week has been identified as Leila Ben Salem, a Canada Revenue Agency employee whose death has sparked renewed calls for action against violence targeting women. Montreal police say officers were called Tuesday afternoon to an apartment building on René-Lévesque Boulevard East near St-Christophe Street after receiving a request to check on a resident. When they entered the apartment, they found Ben Salem seriously injured. She was then pronounced dead at the scene. 0:36 Quebec woman killed while on a Zoom call Stick to the Facts Add Global News as a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our stories in your search results. The death was initially considered suspicious but has since been transferred to the force’s homicide unit. Police said the killing marks Montreal’s 19th homicide of 2026. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Investigators remained at the scene Wednesday, examining the apartment building, processing evidence and reviewing surveillance footage as they worked to determine what happened. No arrests had been announced as of Thursday, and police have not released details about how Ben Salem died or a possible motive. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Police sources told Global News that Ben Salem was participating in a work-related Zoom call when she was attacked…