A tip from an acquaintance led to the arrest of a 50-year-old Toronto man who has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing and dismembering of his common-law wife.

Police have identified the victim, whose body parts were found in several locations across the city, as 46-year-old Rose Marie McGroarty.

Robert Wiszniowski, 50, of Parkdale, was arrested and charged on Tuesday.

Robert Wiszniowski arrested Tuesday.
Robert Wiszniowski arrested Tuesday.

In a news conference Wednesday, Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux said McGroarty and Wiszniowski were in a long-term common-law relationship.

Police released the accused's photograph, hoping someone may have seen him depositing body parts in various areas of Toronto. Giroux said all the victim's remains have been accounted for and there will be a post-mortem exam Wednesday.

Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux
Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux

The accused was also due to make his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Police had been conducting a controversial door-to-door search of houses and apartments just prior to the arrest, but the break in the case seemed to come by phone.

"The member of the community who phoned in was not a family member, but did hear an explanation with regards to why this individual [the alleged victim] was missing and was not satisfied with it," said Giroux. Pressed, he would not say if it was a neighbour.

"It's a member of the community who had been following the media coverage, had received an explanation and was not satisfied with it," he repeated.

The investigation began on Nov. 11 when the victim's leg was discovered in one part of the city and then her torso in another, just a few hours later. Police retrieved body parts from at least three separate locations.