DNA investigation leads to arrest of Burlington man 18 years after reported sexual assault

A Burlington man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault that occurred in Toronto more than 18 years ago after investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to advance the case.

Toronto Police announced that 43-year-old Michael Robert Ashley was arrested on Thursday, June 11th and charged with one count of sexual assault.

The charge stems from an incident on March 12th, 2008, at a retail business in the area of The Queensway and Islington Avenue.

Police allege a man entered the store, sexually assaulted a lone employee and then fled the scene.

Investigators were able to recover a male DNA profile from evidence collected during the investigation. However, despite extensive efforts, police were unable to identify a suspect at the time and no DNA match was found.

In 2025, the case was selected for investigative genetic genealogy, a forensic technique that uses DNA analysis and family history research to help identify potential suspects in unsolved cases.

Toronto Police say the genetic genealogy investigation ultimately led investigators to identify and arrest the accused.

Ashley appeared before the Toronto Regional Bail Centre following his arrest.

Police credited members of the Toronto Police Service’s Sex Crimes Unit, Cold Case team and Forensic Identification team for their work on the investigation. The service also acknowledged funding support from Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, which helped make the genetic genealogy investigation possible.