Ontario cottage country murder and arson suspect confirmed dead

Mitchell Gray, the 29-year-old man wanted in connection with a shooting and fire in Ontario’s cottage country that triggered a shelter-in-place order and police hunt, has been confirmed dead.

Gray’s body was one of two bodies found inside a home that was set on fire last Friday near the town of Bracebridge, Ont.

He died from smoke inhalation, according to a post-mortem examination by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

The second body has been confirmed as 59-year-old Anita Gray, who died from a gunshot wound, according to a police statement issued late Wednesday.

Police also confirmed the identity of a man found shot dead in the driveway, 60-year-old Paul Gray.

Police did not provide details on their relationships, however, local media are reporting the victims are Mitchell Gray’s parents.

Police responded to shots fired at the family’s home shortly after 8 p.m. Friday. When they arrived, one man was found dead outside and the residence in flames. Two more bodies were later located inside.

Police issued a shelter-in-place order, alerting local residents they were responding to an incident involving “a potentially armed individual in distress.”

The advisory was lifted just before 2 a.m. Saturday. Police said that although Gray hadn’t been located, he wasn’t believed to pose a threat to public safety because the individuals involved were known to each other.

Police issued a wanted bulletin. As of Tuesday afternoon, Ontario Provincial Police said they were still searching for Gray. “He remains outstanding,” an OPP spokesperson told National Post. “We ask that anyone with information about the incident or his whereabouts to contact police or Crime Stoppers.”

Police told MuskokaToday.com that they suspected the bodies inside the fire-gutted home were son and mother but still they searched for Gray.

“You’re always never quite sure,” police said.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Bracebridge OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

National Post

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