Article content

Stella Tetsos was a vibrant 82-year-old grandmom who shared the rich bounty of her garden with her many friends, neighbours and family members.

But her independent life was cut short in November 2015 by a violent burglar who ransacked her modest Scarborough bungalow, Crown attorney David Steinberg said in his opening statement to a jury at the first-degree murder trial of Sinbad Kingsimba Marshall.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Vibrant Toronto senior's accused killer left DNA at her home: Crown Back to video

He has pleaded not guilty.

Tetsos’ body was discovered on Remembrance Day at her Elfreda Blvd. home where she and her late husband Sam raised their two children, Evelyn and Lou, who now have families of their own, said Steinberg.

“She lived a life in that house, and in November 2015 that life was taken from her in that house,” said Steinberg.

Her favourite turquoise ring, which she always wore, was stolen.

And the killer left his DNA calling card near the victim’s body, court heard.