Attempted murder suspect wanted in 'brutal assault' has ties to Burlington

A 21-year-old man accused of attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault in a vicious attack on a 50-year-old woman has ties to Burlington, police say.

Durham Regional Police investigators released images, Aug. 20, 2020, of Whitby resident Anthony Doiron-Francis, 21, who is charged in the "brutal assault" of a 50-year-old Whitby woman back on July 29, to ensure there have been no other victims, officers said in a news release.

Doiron-Francis was arrested Aug. 13 after an intensive investigation into the attack that left the woman with "horrific injuries," police said.

The woman had gone out for a walk on the evening of July 28 and failed to return. She was found the following day near a creek with critical injuries and rushed to hospital. She remains there in critical condition.

Information released by police Thursday, Aug. 20 indicates Doiron-Francis moved to Whitby from Ottawa in March of this year. He has also spent time recently in Burlington, police said.

He's 5 feet 10 and about 220 pounds with short hair and a goatee. As the investigation continues, police want to ensure there are no other victims.

Call police at 905-579-1520, extension 5418 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

-with files from DurhamRegion.com