York Region woman found guilty of murder, arson

In 2019, Central York Fire Services found the body of 38-year-old Troy Stephen Oakley inside a home they were responding to a call at on Edward Street in Aurora.

On Nov. 24, 2023, a jury found Melissa Galea, 41, of Aurora, guilty of first degree murder and arson. 

On July 27, 2019, at about 1 a.m., York Regional Police and Central York Fire personnel were called to a house on Edward for a report of a fire, police said.

Responding officers found the house fully engulfed in flames and at about 2 a.m., firefighters controlled the fire. Fire services were then able to enter the home where they located the body of Oakley, according to police.

The death was deemed suspicious and the homicide unit was engaged, police said. That same day, investigators arrested then-36-year-old Galea in connection with the death. She was charged with first degree murder and arson.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place on Jan. 5, 2024.

Anyone with information about any other homicide investigation is asked to call the York police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or email the unit at [email protected], or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or through 1800222tips.com.