Suspect identified 25 years after Toronto woman found dead in Niagara Region ditch
Police have identified a man they believe to be responsible for the death of a Toronto woman found in a ditch in Niagara Region more than 25 years ago.
On May 8, 1999, 26-year-old Nadine Gurzenski was found in a roadside ditch in Lincoln, Ont. Her death was deemed a homicide by investigators at the time.
Despite an extensive investigation, police were unable to identify any suspects.
The case remained unsolved until Thursday when the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) announced in a news release that investigators had identified a suspect using investigative genetic genealogy.
- IN PHOTOS: 15 famous unsolved cases in Canada
Joseph “Raymond” Brousseau, a former resident of New Liskeard, Ont. who died in 2017, would face a charge of second-degree murder in connection with Gurzenski’s death, police said in the release.
Brousseau, 34 years old at the time, was employed as a truck driver when Gurzenski was killed. Police said he “travelled extensively” throughout Canada and the United States for work. He also had ties to Quebec, they said.
Included in Thursday’s update was a statement from Gurzenski’s family.
“We want to recognize that Nadine was an incredibly important part of our family. She meant more than a news headline,” Gurzenski’s husband, Paul, wrote.
“She was a beautiful young woman inside and out, mother, wife, and now grandmother who had her whole life ripped away from her and everyone who loved her. We will always make sure her memory lives on forever,” he continued.
NRPS Deputy Chief Todd Waselovich thanked Gurzenski’s family for their patience in the 25-year investigation.
“Through the tireless work of detectives, we are able to offer some measure of closure for Nadine’s grieving family,” Waselovich said in the release.
“While nothing can ease their pain, the determination of our detectives is evident in identifying the person responsible for her murder. Investigations such as these take a toll on our members, as they carry that weight with them in the search for justice.”
Niagara police also acknowledged the assistance of the Toronto Police Homicide and Cold Case Unit, the Centre of Forensic Sciences, the Office of the Chief Coroner, and the Ministry of the Attorney General.
“The contributions of these law enforcement partners were critical in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion,” the release states.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009060.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE NOW Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
WATCH LIVE Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.
Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin' Hot Cheetos winds up in court
A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.