Police in Peterborough, Ont., say advances in DNA expertise have led to a breakthrough in a chilly case that started many years in the past with the grisly discovery of a human cranium in a river.
Now they’re asking the general public for assist fixing the historic murder of a person named Gerald Durocher who was identified to frequent the Ottawa space and to journey as far west as B.C.
The partially intact cranium, together with a number of vertebrae, was found by leisure divers on July 10, 1988, within the Otonabee River about 40 metres from shore, in line with Det.-Sgt. Josh McGrath.
Regardless of in depth air and underwater searches, the remainder of the stays have been by no means discovered and the sufferer’s id remained unknown for years, the detective defined.
“It is all the time remained a real thriller,” stated McGrath.
The ‘Ontonabee River Man’
Then, in 2021, police began working with a Texas-based firm referred to as Othram, which bills itself on-line as a enterprise that mixes laboratory science and software program to “break by means of beforehand impenetrable forensic DNA obstacles.”
Police stated they managed to construct a DNA profile which helped establish potential relations of the one who at that time was identified solely because the “Ontonabee River Man.”
Testing carried out by the Forensic Pathology Service then confirmed his id as Durocher, who was 38 on the time of his dying.
Investigators say Gerald Durocher had ties throughout Ontario and in B.C., however was identified to frequent the Ottawa space. (Peterborough Police Service)
“It’s an incredible step,” stated McGrath, including it is solely step one in a protracted investigation to come back.
Practically 4 many years after Durocher’s dying, McGrath stated he and different investigators are attempting to piece collectively “who Gerald was, the place he was related to, the those who he knew, and actually the circumstances that led to his dying.”
A lot of these who knew Durocher have since died, and even a few of the locations he was identified to frequent do not exist anymore.
That features the Vendome Lodge that used to face close to Somerset and Rochester streets in Ottawa, described by investigators as a “widespread watering gap” for Durocher.
McGrath stated the disappearance of such areas that might in any other case have generated leads within the case has been a hurdle.
“That is actually confirmed troublesome,” he stated.
Police say the Vendome Lodge in Ottawa was a typical hangout for Durocher. The resort now not exists. (Peterborough Police Service)
Looking for closure for the household
Pictures of Durocher shared by investigators present a person with lengthy darkish hair and a beard.
Police stated the sufferer seems to have lived a considerably nomadic way of life. He had contacts throughout Ontario and within the B.C. Inside, together with across the metropolis of Quesnel.
Nevertheless his “dwelling” on the time of his dying was the Ottawa space, the place his household and accomplice on the time additionally lived.
McGrath stated police have theories about why Durocher moved round a lot, however they’re persevering with to search out out extra about him and wish to be taught extra from anybody who encountered him throughout the nation.
“I wish to communicate to anyone that is aware of of him and even is aware of his title out in central B.C,” he stated.
Investigators are additionally making an attempt to find out how his cranium ended up within the river, and the place the remainder of his stays is likely to be.
“It’s a small win,” McGrath stated of the constructive identification. “However … it is bittersweet, as a result of now we now have a household that we’re involved about and that we wish to carry some closure to.”
The detective stated police in Peterborough by no means forgot the surprising case of the cranium within the river. They’re asking anybody with details about Durocher or his dying — even small particulars — to contact them.
Peterborough-Northumberland Crime Stoppers can also be providing a $5,000 reward for any ideas that result in an arrest.
