Man faces murder charge after woman found dead in Brampton auto shop

A man is facing a second-degree murder charge after a woman was found dead at a Brampton auto shop on Saturday.

Peel police said the victim was found in a vehicle parked in one of the garage bays at HR Motors on Melanie Drive in Brampton, at about 4 p.m. on Saturday. The business was open at the time.

She has been identified by police as 29-year-old Shariyfa Birkett.


Amit Kalia, 31, of Mississauga, appeared in court Sunday to face a charge of second-degree murder.

Peel police Cst. Thomas Ruttan says the death will be classified as a “domestic” and that the victim was the girlfriend of the accused.

He says that police believe the couple stayed at a motel near the casino in Niagara Falls on Friday. They are hoping to speak with anyone who may have seen them there.

The couple was driving a white 2008 Mercedes C230 that may have been involved in a minor collision that caused damage to the front driver’s side and a driver’s side tire, he said.

Cst. Ruttan says police would also like to speak to the tow truck driver who brought the vehicle to the auto shop.

A cause of death has not yet been determined and an autopsy is planned.

It is unclear where the death occurred, according to Cst. Ruttan.

Kalia appeared calm during a bail hearing at a Brampton court on Sunday that lasted under 10 minutes. He will return to court on Feb. 18.