More than 36 years after a dismembered human head was found in an Ontario river, Peterborough police say they finally have a breakthrough.
The homicide of the Otonabee River man – revealed on Wednesday to be Gerald Durocher – has mystified investigators ever since the grisly discovery was made by members of a recreational dive club more than three decades ago.
It was on July 10, 1988, when the divers took to those waters in Peterborough and found a human head at the bottom of the river some 130 feet from shore.
Shortly after the discovery, which was made near Lock and McKellar streets, police launched an extensive air and underwater search to locate the rest of the body. However, to this day, it was never found.
On its website, police said that through investigation at the time, they determined the head belonged to a man roughly between 40 to 74 years of age.
“Some lower molars were missing and had been lost well prior to death. Staining on remaining teeth indicates that this man was a smoker,” police said on its cold case webpage.
“There is no evidence of dental care. He may have been bald or partially bald at the time of death. A small amount of facial hair is inconclusive about the possibility of a beard. Colouration suggests his hair and beard may have been dark coloured.”
Investigators determined his head was dismembered, and considered the case a homicide.
Police said at the time, there were no outstanding cases of missing men in the city, which suggests the head may have been brought to the area from elsewhere. Police still do not know how long the head was in the river, or when the man was killed.
Advanced DNA testing technology helped with breakthrough
On Wednesday, police identified the victim as Durocher, a 38-year-old man who was born in November 1949. Investigators believe Durocher had connections throughout Ontario, including Ottawa, as well as the Quesnel area in central British Columbia.
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Police utilized advanced DNA testing technology – a growing trend in cold cases – to identify Durocher. In a news release, police said on October 2021, investigators submitted evidence to the Othram in The Woodlands laboratory in Texas and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
“Othram scientists used forensic-grade genome sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile, which was then used by Othram’s genealogy team, in conjunction with forensic genetic genealogy to identify potential relatives,” police said.
“The Peterborough Police Service then used this information to locate and interview these individuals. It was through this process, as well as subsequent confirmatory DNA testing by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service that led to the positive identification of the victim.”
Now that the victim has been identified, police said they are “pursuing all avenues” to further the investigation, and are offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.
“Investigators are encouraging anyone with information pertaining to Durocher, or his death to come forward, noting that sometimes even the small details can play a large part in solving a case,” police added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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