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A 27-year-old woman was murdered in a machete attack Wednesday evening in the city’s east end.

Just after 6 p.m., Toronto Police received numerous calls about a man running around with a machete in the area of Morrish Rd. and Ellesmere Rd.

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The victim, identified by police as Tharshika Jeganathan, was walking home when she was attacked, Insp. Stacey Davis said.

Witnesses said a man struck her with the weapon, knocking her to the ground.

“He continued his attack, ” Const. David Hopkinson said, describing the injuries as “horrific.”

“And then he gets into his car and flees.”

The victim collapsed between two driveways on Fishery Rd. and died at the scene.

Speaking to media, Davis said the the man fled before police arrived but went to 42 Division, at Milner Ave. and Markham Rd., and surrendered.

“This is not supposed to happen in our neighbourhood,” said Conway Anderson, who lives nearby. “I feel bad for the family. I really feel bad.”

Reports said the accused, Sasikaran Thanapalasingam, 38, is the victim’s ex-husband. He is charged with first-degree murder and was to appear in Eglinton Ave. E. court on Thursday at 2 p.m.

The woman is the city’s 45th homicide of 2019.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume