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Former CBC journalist dies after random assault in Toronto's east end

A longtime former CBC producer has died after a random daytime assault in Toronto's east end.

The broadcaster says Michael Finlay, who worked with the network for 31 years, died Monday, a week after the attack.

Toronto police say officers responded to a call about an assault on Jan. 24 at 3:35 p.m. in the Danforth Avenue and Jones Avenue area.

They say a man was allegedly assaulted and fell to the ground with serious injuries – a male suspect is still at large.

In a note sent to CBC staff and obtained by The Canadian Press, Cathy Perry, the network's executive director of newsgathering and operations, says Finlay died of medical complications after being injured in a random assault in the city last week.

She calls Finlay an "exceptional" journalist who travelled around the world to produce radio programs and knew "everything about every news story here at home and abroad."

Police say the investigation is underway and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2023

The Canadian Press


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