On December 22, police responded to a call from a residence in Harbord Village, where they found a woman suffering from severe head trauma. They immediately arrested a 29-year-old man named Colin Harnack, who was charged with second-degree murder. The woman, 51-year-old Julie Berman, was rushed to hospital. She succumbed to her injuries a short time later. 

Berman, 51, was a trans woman who actively fought for LGBTQ2S+ rights for 30 years.

The accused made his first court appearance on December 23, but has yet to enter a plea. His next court appearance will be on January 15. He is believed to have been remanded into custody.

In late December, friends gathered to remember Berman and spoke about her work on behalf of the transgender community, who suffer disproportionally from violence, hate crimes, suicide, and murder. 

—Patricia Mamede, Gleaner News