Posted February 01, 2018 17:18:13

Canadian investigators expect there to be "more victims" after charging a landscaper with five counts of first-degree murder after the discovery of dismembered remains in potted plants.

Bruce McArthur, 66, is accused of killing the men and placing their dead bodies in large planters on his clients' properties across Toronto.

Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga did not say how many more victims he expected as the search for more remains continues.

Digging is expected to start as early as next week, and police said it could take some time.

Mr McArthur is accused of killing Selim Esen, Andrew Kinsman, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Marmudi and Dean Lisowick.

Photo: Clockwise from left: Majeed Kayhan, 58, Dean Lisowick, 47, Soroush Marmudi, 50, Selim Esen, 44, and Andrew Kinsman, 49, were allegedly killed by Bruce McArthur. (Supplied: Toronto Police Service)

Detective Sergeant Idsinga said the local community was feeling more relief than fear following Mr McArthur's arrest.

"We think we've got the right guy and hopefully we've put this to rest," he said.

"Obviously a court process has to be followed through. But I haven't got that feedback that there's a lingering sense of fear anymore.

"We believe there are more victims on top of those five. And as we have to identify those victims — I can't give you any idea about a number but I do expect more charges to be laid."

Photo: Three bodies were found in planters at a home where Bruce McArthur allegedly stored his landscaping equipment. (Reuters: Chris Donovan)

Accused killer 'has been kind'

The Toronto Star reported the dismembered and skeletal remains of three people were found in planters at a home in Leaside.

The home in Mallory Crescent, Leaside, is currently a main focus for police, though Mr McArthur has also been linked to 30 other properties through his landscaping business, according to The Star.

Property owner Karen Fraser told CBC News radio program, As It Happens, the grisly discovery was "horrifying and captivating".

Mr McArthur stored his landscaping equipment at Ms Fraser's house and, in exchange, he would take care of her lawn.

She said she had known Mr McArthur for a decade and he was a kind man.

"You have to understand, he has been kind, helpful, helped with our charity work, doing floral gifts for silent auctions," she said.

"He went above and beyond what our original agreement was to cut the grass."

Photo: Police plan to search 30 properties linked to Bruce McArthur's landscaping business. (AP: Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

Criminologist and Professor at Western University Michael Arntfield told The Star the accused killer may have used his job to disguise the murders.

The Star reported some of the victims were members of Toronto's gay community but police said the victims did not fit a clear pattern.

Reuters/ABC

Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, law-crime-and-justice, canada