A man accused of first-degree murder in the death of York University student, Qian Liu, was held in custody after a brief court appearance on April 21st.

The 23-year-old Chinese student was online with a friend in China at around 1 a.m. on Friday, and while the two were chatting, a man entered the apartment. A struggle followed during which the computer was turned off. Following the altercation, the online witness contacted people known to Liu out of concern for her safety.

Police said they are still missing key pieces of evidence, such as Liu's external webcam, her Think-pad and her cell-phone. Police in Toronto did not reveal how they had tied Mr Dickson to the killing, and earlier, investigators said they had yet to determine the cause of death.

York University said in a released statement on Thursday that Dickson was not a registered student and does not have a degree from the university.

However, a 2008 newsletter from the Atlantic Council of Canada, a group founded to promote NATO at which Dickson was formerly an executive assistant, described him as a former York student who was twice re-elected vice-president of the undergraduate political science council. Dickson is expected to make a brief court appearance via video on April 24.

This incident reminds us all about the importance of safety and community. The University of Toronto is committed to promoting an environment where students, faculty and staff can feel safe to learn, work and live.   I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the numerous
programs and services available to you on campus.

For more information on security services at three of the U of T campuses, please visit the following websites:

Community Safety Office
http://www.communitysafety.utoronto.ca

U of T Campus Police
http://www.campuspolice.utoronto.ca/site3.aspx

UTSC Campus Police Services
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~police/index.html

UTM Campus Police
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/index.php?id=1986