Police conclude investigation into double murder

Police conclude investigation into double murder-suicide

Ottawa police say Mohammed Al-Lami had picked up his sons for 'scheduled parenting time'

WARNING: This story contains details of intimate partner violence.

Ottawa police say they've concluded their investigation into a shocking case of intimate partner violence in which a father murdered his two sons before torching his business and taking his own life.

Mohammed Al-Lami, 40, killed his seven- and 12-year-old sons in his south Ottawa home and firebombed his dental practice in a nearby village before dying by suicide on June 29.

Al-Lami, who was charged in 2024 with threatening in an email to harm his ex-wife and her current partner, was on active probation at the time.

In a handwritten note found at his home after the killings, he railed against his ex-wife, the mother of the two boys, as well as the criminal justice and Family Court systems that he insisted had wronged him.

On Tuesday, Ottawa police updated the timeline of events to reveal that Al-Lami had picked up his sons on the afternoon of Saturday, June 27, for "scheduled parenting time" and killed them late June 28 or early June 29. The boys were last known to be alive that Sunday evening, police said.

Father in double murder-suicide left angry note, previously threatened ex-wife

Police said the investigation found "continuing conflict involving parenting arrangements and financial support."

"We recognize the profound impact these deaths have had on the boys’ family, friends, school communities, neighbours and everyone who was affected by this tragedy," said Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson.

"Our investigators worked carefully to establish what occurred and to provide the family and the public with as complete an account as possible, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the children."

The boys are not being named at the request of their mother, police said.

Support is available for anyone affected by intimate partner violence. You can access support services and local resources across Canada by visiting this website. If your situation is urgent, call 911.

Below are some signs, feelings and/or behaviours that could indicate intimate partner violence and/or coercive control, according to Interval House of Ottawa: