The quiet of a Toronto neighborhood shattered last December with the discovery of 79-year-old Jolan Kun found dead in her apartment. The investigation quickly escalated, leading to a desperate search for two suspects who would soon be accused of a brutal crime.
One of those men, 38-year-old Ashton Drysdale, wasn’t simply evading murder charges – he was already a fugitive. A Canada-wide warrant had been issued for his arrest months earlier, back in March, after he violated the terms of his statutory release.
Drysdale’s past is a tapestry of serious offenses. He was serving an eight-year and eight-month sentence for a string of crimes including firearm offenses, robbery with threats, and cannabis possession. Released after serving two-thirds of his sentence, he was considered a risk even under supervision.
The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad and Toronto Police’s Emergency Response Team finally apprehended Drysdale this past Saturday. His capture brought a measure of relief, but also raised questions about the system that allowed a known offender to remain at large for so long.
Alongside Drysdale, 38-year-old Kaream Hines now faces the same devastating charge: first-degree murder. The weight of the evidence against both men is substantial, with Drysdale facing a litany of additional firearm and drug-related offenses.
Investigators are meticulously piecing together the events leading to Kun’s death, seeking any detail that might illuminate the motive and circumstances surrounding this tragedy. The Humewood neighborhood remains shaken, grappling with the loss of a beloved resident.
Toronto Police urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward. Even the smallest detail could prove crucial in securing justice for Jolan Kun and understanding the full scope of this horrific event. Contact them at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.
