A 50-year-old man from Newfoundland and Labrador has been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Donna Oglive, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who was killed in Toronto in 1998. Toronto police used investigative genetic genealogy to identify and apprehend the suspect, who was traveling from Edmonton. This breakthrough technology has been instrumental in solving several cold cases in recent months.
A 50-year-old man from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the 1998 death of 24-year-old pregnant woman Donna Oglive in Toronto. Toronto police say they used investigative genetic genealogy to identify and apprehend the suspect, who was travelling on a flight from Edmonton when he was stopped at Pearson International Airport. Det. Sgt.
Steve Smith revealed that the accused man had a consistent travel pattern, working in Alberta for two weeks at a time before returning to the East Coast for another two weeks. Investigators were able to predict his route and intercept him at Toronto's airport. Oglive, a sex worker from British Columbia, had been in Toronto for only five weeks when she was allegedly strangled in a parking lot on Carleton Street. Police had previously found the suspect's DNA at the crime scene but were unable to identify him through national databases. Smith explained that investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to trace the suspect's family last year, leading them to his identification. This technology has been instrumental in solving several cold cases in recent months, with Ontario leading the way in its implementation. The accused man resided in Scarborough, Toronto, and worked as a truck driver at the time of the homicide. Police are now investigating his whereabouts and activities for the past 25 years to determine if there are any other potential victims. Smith emphasized the importance of ensuring justice is served, especially in cases where suspects are still alive. He stated that investigative genetic genealogy holds immense potential for identifying perpetrators of past sexual assaults and homicides, adding that those who committed such crimes decades ago should be prepared to face consequences
INVESTIGATIVE GENETIC GENEALOGY COLD CASE MURDER TORONTO POLICE DNA TECHNOLOGY