Toronto, Canada – Toronto police have made a significant breakthrough in a decades-old homicide case. The case involves the death of 47-year-old Kevin McBride, who was found murdered in his apartment in Scarborough in 1982.
McBride, originally from Australia, was a well-loved member of the Toronto community known for selling art. He lived alone and was not involved in criminal activities. His murder had remained unsolved for over 40 years, until recent advancements in forensic testing and DNA technology led to a major development in the case.
Through investigative genetic genealogy testing, police were able to identify a suspect in McBride’s murder. The suspect, William Taylor, was 34 years old at the time of the crime. However, Taylor passed away in May 2023, so he cannot be charged with the murder.
It is believed that the motive behind McBride’s murder was the robbery of his high-end art pieces. The case also involved the use of his stolen credit card and vehicle in the United States. While a second person was involved in the selling of the stolen art and use of the credit card and vehicle, they were not involved in the actual murder.
Acting Det. Sgt. Steve Smith, head of the homicide and missing persons cold case division, mentioned that McBride’s family, still in Australia, has been informed of the development in the case. Smith highlighted the effort put into solving McBride’s case, adding that this technology is being used in other cases involving homicides, sexual assaults, and unidentified human remains.
This breakthrough in McBride’s case showcases the power of advancements in forensic technology in cracking long-standing cold cases. Despite the suspect being deceased, the resolution of the case offers closure to McBride’s family and friends, as well as to the community who cherished him.