A suspect has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lafantaisie.

Her body was found in the trunk of her vehicle on Feb. 24 on Lewis Street near River Avenue, said police.

She had previously been reported missing. Officers canvassed more than 1000 suites and seized surveillance video as part of their investigation.

Forensic evidence was also used. On Feb. 28, a 25-year-old male suspect was arrested in the River East area, said police. Officers said the attack appears random.

The suspect has a lengthy criminal record and is a known car thief, who has also done time for break and enter and theft.

Investigators remain tight-lipped about some details in the case, such as where the incident started and how she was killed.

Sources told CTV News that Lafantaisie encountered her killer inside the Summerland Apartments, where her coat and purse were found in a parking garage stairwell in the building on University Crescent.

Ron Hardwick said she was known to clean some apartments in the building. "We also heard that she probably was killed (in the building) that's why everyone was so uptight," said Hardwick.

He said some seniors living in the building are scared and plan to buy pepper spray for protection.

Late Tuesday afternoon, police said Thomas Anthony Joseph Brine, 25, of Winnipeg had been charged with first-degree murder for Lafantaisie's death. As a result of two outstanding warrants, Brine also faces charges for possession of goods obtained by crime, assault causing bodily harm and assault, said police.

Lafantaisie's family thanked police officers for all their work in the case and asked for privacy while they continue to grieve her death.

- with a report from CTV's Caroline Barghout