Bruce McArthur charged with 1st-degree murder of Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam

Alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur was charged Monday in the death of Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, bringing to eight the total number of first-degree murder counts he faces.

McArthur, 66, made a short court appearance by video link to hear the latest charge.

Det.-Sgt.HankIdsinga,the lead investigator, saidKanagaratnam's remains were found in a garden planter at a home on Mallory Crescent, in northeast Toronto, whereMcArthurworked as a landscaper.

The remains of at least seven men have been found on the property, and Idsingasaidpolice will continue to searchother sites once the ground thaws.

Police identifiedKanagaratnam, 37, from a photograph. The force took the rare step of releasing an image ofKanagaratnam, deceased, to figure out who he was.Apolice source previously toldCBCToronto that image came from a cache of images found on McArthur'scomputer.

Police announced last week that they hadidentified the man, and Idsinga saidthey spent the weekend working to contact family members, many of whom don't live in the country.

"While we are saddened, we are proud and relieved to be able to bring closure to the friends and family of the victim," Idsingasaid.

Hesaid it's unclear how Kanagaratnamcame into contact with McArthur.

Kanagaratnam moved to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2010 and lived in Scarborough, in suburban Toronto, before his death. Police believe he was killed between Sept.3 and Dec.14 in 2015,Idsingatold a morning news conference, but he was never reported missing.

"Obviously there's a breakdown," Idsingasaid. He also said the police force will be looking into whyKanagaratnamwasn't on a list of missing persons.

Idsingasaidthere is no evidence linkingKanagaratnamto the Gay Village, which several victims had ties to.

Cause of death of 8 not yet determined

McArthurhadalready beenchargedin connection with the disappearances of seven other men.

The othersare: SelimEsen, 44,Abdulbasir Faizi, 44, MajeedKayhan,58, Andrew Kinsman, 49,DeanLisowick, 47,Soroush Mahmudi, 50,and Skandaraj Navaratnam, 40.None of the charges against McArthur have been tested in court.

While Idsingahas an idea of how at least some of McArthur's alleged victims were killed, hesaid investigators have been unable to definitively determine the cause of death in each case.

Police have used fingerprints, DNA and dental records to identify the dismembered remains,Idsingasaid.

When asked if there could be more victims especially becauseKanagaratnamdoesn't appear to fit the profile ofMcArthur'sother alleged targetsIdsinga saidhe has "no evidence" to link McArthurto any death prior toNavaratnam's.

However, police continue to look over a number of cold cases and are asking anyone with information about the investigation to contact them.

McArthurremains in custody at the Toronto South Detention Centre in Etobicoke, in suburban Toronto.