Torture victim continues to recover, suspect finally arrested

The roommate and alleged torturer of Dustin LaFortune was found and arrested after a Canada-wide warrant was issued earlier this year in a case concerning 15 months of alleged attacks involving aggravated assault, forcible confinement and sexual assault.

The horrifying ordeal of Dustin LaFortune was reported on Digital Journal a few months ago, along with a video of the progress of his slow and painful recovery in hospital. LaFortune was dumped off at a Regina hospital in April by a man posing as a "cousin", weighing only 90 pounds, his face smashed, some ribs broken, and part of his lip and tongue gone. His body was covered in bruises, lacerations and burns. He also exhibited signs of brain damage.

Facebook photos of Dustin LaFortune

Dustin LaFortune before and after being tortured

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Dustin reportedly was released from the hospital on August 30 to go live with his mother Renee LaFortune in Victoria where he will continue his rehabilitation as an outpatient. Renee told Times Colonist: "Physically, he's as healthy as a horse. He's stable. His issues now are more emotional, more psychological, and related to his brain injury. "But physically, he's up to 194 pounds, he's walking with the help of a walker. He's eating quite well. His communication is excellent." Renee went on to say: "He's just about at the point where we can start considering reconstructive surgery on his face, which is going to be a whole series of new operations and more hospitalization. "It's very important to him because every time he looks in the mirror and he sees his face, he's reminded of all the things that happened to him. And from a purely medical perspective, he needs reconstruction on his face. He can't eat or speak properly because of the damage, so the reconstruction will help all that."

In Support of Dustin LaFortune Facebook photos

Dustin LaFortune displaying a picture he drew last month as he continues to recover from being tortured.

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Dustin LaFortune's Facebook page

Dustin LaFortune before he was allegedly tortured by roommate Dustin Paxton

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Dustin Ward Paxton, 30, was wanted by both Calgary and Regina police for alleged attacks on victim Dustin LaFortune. The four month search for the fugitive ended August 24 when Edmonton tactical officers and an Alberta Sheriff arrested him in Edmonton where Paxton was renting a two-bedroom basement suite under an assumed name. Rich Guile, the owner of the home Paxton was found in, told Times Colonist that Paxton was known as "John Roach," and had been living in the basement apartment since May. Guile said Paxton "paid his monthly $700 rent on time, coming upstairs to share Guile's home-cooked meals. Guile said he occasionally hired Paxton to mow the lawn or wash floors and windows. When Guile's mother visited the home for a few days, he said she and Paxton hit it off immediately. When Paxton was sick, Guile's mother brought him a home cure of cinnamon and honey." Paxton repaired iPhones for $50 to $70 each, and had five to ten customers come to the house each day, responding to his Kijiji ads. Guile said Paxton was an "innovative man who occasionally showed signs of an authority problem." "He was a little touchy," said Guile. "Any kind of confrontation, you could see he could be kind of volatile." According to a report by The City of Calgary Newsroom, police have also charged Paxton for incidents involving an underage female that Paxton knew. No further details of these charges are being disclosed.