FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 16, 2024, 1:15 p.m.
First use of advanced DNA-based technology by Ottawa Police
Ottawa – A Vancouver man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 1996 stabbing death of Christopher Smith. Homicide Unit investigators review cold case of the Ottawa Police Service and advanced DNA technology were important in the filing of this charge.
Lawrence DIEHL, aged 73, was arrested in Vancouver on December 10 and brought back to Ottawa by investigators on December 13. He appeared in court on December 14.
Context
Early in the morning of April 12, 1996, 22-year-old Christopher Smith was stabbed to death on the Portage Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec.
Advances in forensic science and knowledge of DNA allowed police to identify the attacker, and the case is now before the courts.
Ottawa Police investigators have been working on this unsolved case since 2020, in collaboration with the RCMP and the Toronto Police Service. Using advanced DNA analysis techniques, including investigative genetic genealogy (GGE), the suspect was identified as Lawrence Diehl, and he was apprehended and charged with considerable assistance from the of the Vancouver Police Department.
Investigative genetic genealogy involves the use of genetic database data to trace potential family lines in criminal investigations.
For the Ottawa Police, this is a first use of this technology.
“By laying these charges, the Ottawa Police Service is once again demonstrating that we will never stop working for victims of crime and their loved ones,” said Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs. “We will continue to adopt such innovative techniques to solve cases, and I commend the members of our Homicide Unit for ensuring that no case is ever forgotten and for unstinting in their efforts.” We spoke with Mr. Smith’s family to tell them about this new development in the case. I would also like to thank the Vancouver Police Department for helping us greatly during this investigation. »
Investigators are looking for anyone who has information about Diehl and his stay in Ottawa.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Homicide Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.
Ottawa Police have 63 unsolved homicide cases that are reviewed frequently. Please take a look at these other cold cases and the rewards being offered for information leading to an arrest.
You can provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at crimestoppers.ca.
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Through the Community Safety Data Portal data.ottawapolice.camembers of the public can view, download, and interact with data shared by the Ottawa Police Service.
Contact :
Media Relations
Telephone: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366
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