Man Found Not Criminally Responsible for Wife’s Murder Readmitted to CAMH After Psychotic Relapse
A Mississauga man found not criminally responsible (NCR) for the brutal stabbing of his wife in 2011 has been readmitted to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) after experiencing a renewed episode of psychosis related to his paranoid schizophrenia.
Victor Avidago, 62, was convicted of being NCR in the second-degree murder of his wife, Maria Rosario Avidago, 43, who was stabbed 46 times in the kitchen of their Mississauga home on March 22, 2011. Their 13-year-old daughter, who was home sick from school that day, witnessed the attack and begged her father to stop. Neighbors reported hearing Maria Rosario screaming for help as she bled to death on the kitchen floor.
When Peel Regional Police arrived at the scene, Avidago held officers at bay with a knife for approximately 10 minutes, reportedly demanding that they “shoot me.” He was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found NCR for the murder in 2013.
Ontario Review Board Grants Unconditional Discharge Despite Recent Hospitalization
At his annual hearing this month, the Ontario Review Board (ORB) ruled that Avidago no longer poses a significant threat to public safety and granted him an unconditional discharge, even though he remained a patient at CAMH at the time of the decision. The ruling means he could eventually live in the community without mandatory ORB oversight.
Avidago was originally held in CAMH’s secure unit. According to the ORB report, he improved with antipsychotic medication and transitioned to supportive housing in 2019, followed by independent housing in 2021. However, his mental health began to deteriorate in late 2023 after he stopped taking his medication following a bout of Covid-related pneumonia.
Concerns Over Hidden Knives and Deteriorating Mental State
The ORB decision notes that on February 5, 2024, one of Avidago’s daughters contacted his case manager to report that family members had found knives hidden in his apartment. They expressed concern for both her safety and their father’s well-being. Avidago was taken to CAMH by police and later transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital’s General Medicine Unit before being moved to its inpatient psychiatric unit.
After resuming antipsychotic treatment, Avidago improved and returned to his apartment, where he was followed by his psychiatrist and monitored by CAMH’s forensic outpatient service. However, in January 2026, he reported an increase in psychotic symptoms, including growing fear of being in public and not leaving his home for days.
Voluntary Admission to CAMH in May 2026
On May 5, 2026, Avidago was admitted to CAMH under the Mental Health Act as a voluntary patient in the Psychosis Recovery Treatment Unit. Despite this, his psychiatrist recommended an unconditional discharge, telling the ORB that Avidago had shown insight into his illness and a willingness to seek hospital care if needed.
The ORB majority accepted that recommendation, but one board member issued a dissenting opinion, arguing that Avidago continues to pose a danger and should instead receive a conditional discharge. Under a conditional discharge, he could live in the community but remain under close ORB supervision.
Dissenting Board Member Warns of ‘Too Many Unknowns’
The dissenting member highlighted that Avidago had previously stopped taking his medication due to side effects and that it was too early to determine how he would respond to his newly increased dosage. She warned that his past pattern of behaviour indicates a potential for serious violence when his illness is not controlled.
“If he is paranoid, as we saw with the index offense, his violence can be deadly or it can be demonstrated quietly by hiding knives in his apartment, as in 2024,” she said. “In the minority’s view, there are too many unknowns regarding Mr. Avidago’s ongoing mental stability to grant absolute relief.”
Despite the dissent, the majority decision stands, raising questions about how the board balances public safety with the rights and recovery of individuals found not criminally responsible for violent offences.
