A longtime CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto’s Greektown neighborhood died last week, the public broadcaster confirms.
The incident occurred near Danforth and Jones Avenues at approximately 3:35 pm on January 24th.
police say The suspect was walking down Danforth Street when he encountered and assaulted the victim.
In a news release issued over the weekend, police said the attack resulted in the victim falling to the ground and sustaining serious injuries.
Meanwhile, the suspect fled the scene on foot.
On Wednesday, police confirmed to CP24 that the victim had “tragically passed away” but did not provide further details.
In a subsequent statement, CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson identified the deceased as former producer Michael Finlay.
“Michael’s family has confirmed that he died yesterday of medical complications following a random assault in Toronto’s East End,” he said. He will be remembered as a producer and editor.He traveled the world and made radio documentaries for several programs, most notably Sunday Morning.The documentary with Michael. If you were working, you were experiencing the pinnacle of technology.”
In a statement, CBC said Finlay spent 31 years with public broadcasting before retiring in 2010.
The statement noted that Finlay was the “motive force” behind the documentary show ‘Dispatches’ and also worked as an editor for ‘The World at Six’ during his tenure at CBC.
“Michael had strong beliefs about the script, the story, and the structure. Every reporter he worked with said he made the story better,” the statement said. It is written
Police have not designated the assault as a homicide at this time and have told CP24 that an autopsy must be performed before such a designation can be made.
Police have previously released surveillance images of suspects in assault investigations.
The suspect is male, approximately 6 feet tall and slim in his twenties. When he was last seen, he was wearing a red paper mask with flames on it, a black sweater, and black pants.
“The investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided through news media releases,” Toronto Police spokesperson Caroline De Crett told CP24 on Wednesday.
