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Bruce McArthur is shown in a Facebook photo.Facebook/The Canadian Press

Bruce McArthur made a brief appearance at College Park courthouse Friday morning and was remanded in custody. His next court appearance, by video, was set for Feb. 14.

Mr. McArthur, a 66-year-old Toronto man, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder Thursday as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Selim Esen and Andrew Kinsman.

Both men were reported missing from the Church and Wellesley streets area at separate times last year. Their bodies have not been found.

Related: Toronto police charge Bruce McArthur with murdering two missing men, believe there are other victims

Opinion: Toronto police response to Gay Village disappearances demands explanation

Police also say they believe Mr. McArthur is responsible for the deaths of other men, though they did not say who or what led them to that conclusion.

The arrest came months after police issued public reassurances that there was no evidence the men were dead or the cases were connected.

Police said Thursday new evidence surfaced this week that gave them a "definitive link," but did not elaborate further.

Mr. McArthur has a criminal record. In 2003, he was convicted of assault causing bodily harm.

With a report from The Canadian Press

Toronto police have charged 66-year-old Bruce McArthur with first-degree murder in the disappearances of Selim Esen and Andrew Kinsman from the city’s gay village last year. Police say they are still looking for the bodies.

The Canadian Press

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