Rohinie Bisesar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Rohinie Bisesar Mugshot

(Toronto Police Department)

A high-flying financial advisor was arrested by police in Toronto after they accused of her of randomly stabbing a woman in a drug store. The incident happened on the afternoon of December 11 in the Shoppers Drug Mart inside the TD Bank Tower. Police say Rohinie Bisesar, 40, acted “without provocation” in attacking a woman with a knife and leaving the victim with “life-threatening injuries.” Five days after the attack, Bisesar’s victim died.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. Police Called the Stabbing a ‘Completely Random Act of Violence’

Police in Toronto described Bisesar as wearing a lavender dress shirt, black blazer and matching skirt. A still image from surveillance footage also showed her carrying a red shopping back. Bisesar was officially named as the prime suspect on December 14, three days after the attack. Cops say she didn’t know the victim and that it was a “completely random act of violence.” The victim has been named as Rosemarie Junor, 29. She was a newlywed at the time of her death.

CBC reports that Bisesar was arrested on the afternoon of December 15.

Meanwhile a colleague of Bisesar’s told City News:

The behavior that is alleged is extremely, extremely out of character for Rohinie. (I’m) absolutely shocked. This is someone who is very gentle, very calm, very measured. She speaks almost with a whisper. Physically she is like 5-foot-1 in heels, probably 85 pounds soaking wet. … This is someone very gentle; just makes this whole thing all the more surprising.


2. Since Graduating From One of Canada’s Best Schools, She Struggled to Hold Down Work

The Schulich School of Business at York University where Bisesar was a student between 2002-97. (Wikipedia)

The Schulich School of Business at York University, where Bisesar was a student from 2002 to 2007. (Wikipedia)

According to her LinkedIn profile, Bisesar has a master’s degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University. Her Facebook page offers little information other than a photo and notes that she lives in Toronto. In her role as a financial advisor, she has hosted events for TD Bank and the Bank of Canada. One of her friends, Karl Gutowski, told the National Post, that since graduating, she struggled to hold down regular work.

He told the Post that since 2014 her mental health had deteriorated and that Bisesar had become alienated from her family. The National Post reported that someone send their editorial team an email from a personal address that Gutowski confirmed was Bisesar’s, it read:

Do you know any top professionals in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, satellites? Maybe Military. Maybe Government?

Something has been happening to me and this is not my normal self and I would like to know who and why this is happening. There is either a single person or more responsible and who and why would be nice to know.

I am sorry about the incidence. I felt the need to be extreme to see if it would work. I would normally not do such a thing.

A source told Heavy.com that Bisesar had recently been sending out emails to friends asking for money. While another person told us that, “The people around her were not ones to be supportive in the atmosphere. She’s been through a lot.”


3. Police Have Described Her as ‘Violent & Dangerous’

(Toronto Police Department)

(Toronto Police Department)

The National Post reports that police view her as “violent and dangerous” and say she should not be approached by members of the public. Authorities say she spends much of her time in Toronto’s financial district. Bisesar is facing a charge of attempted murder. She first appeared in court on the morning of December 16. Her charges are attempted murder, aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon. Speaking to CBC after the stabbing victim died, Constable Victor Kwong said Bisesar’s charges would be upgraded. Meanwhile the suspect’s lawyer, Calvin Barry, said his client “seems really sad.”


4. A Professor Called Her ‘Superb for Her Warmth & Interpersonal Skills’

Rohinie Bisesar LinkedIn page

(LinkedIn)

One of the glowing endorsements on her LinkedIn page is from Geroges Monette, a York University professor, who says:

She was superb both for the outstanding quality of her work and for her warmth and interpersonal skills. She had the intelligence, creativity and ability to work collaboratively that allowed (her) to find excellent solutions to just about any problem researchers and faculty members would present her with.

Another reference comes from Sean Siddik, the chief of staff in the dean’s office at the Schulich School of Business, who wrote:

I had the opportunity to work closely with Rohinie over the years, during her involvement with the Women In Leadership organization at the Schulich School of Business as well as Women in Capital Markets. Rohinie was always organized, professional, hard working, and courteous. She demonstrated sound judgment, as well as very strong leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Rohinie was a pleasure to work with, and I wish her all the best on her future endeavours!


5. Random Attacks in Canada Are Extremely Rare

Rohinie Bisesar Facebook page

(Facebook)

According to national statistics, the chances of being murdered in a random crime in Canada are just over 0.01 percent. Around 15 percent of homicides in the country are committed by strangers. The Toronto Star reports that 12 people in Canada’s largest city are killed by strangers every year. That leaves your chances at one in 220,000.