Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

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Marine Disasters in NS and The Wreck of the SS Atlantic Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Episode 322: Nova Scotia's rugged coastline and treacherous waters have made it a graveyard for ships throughout history. The SS Atlantic, a White Star Line steamship, sank off Nova Scotia on April 1, 1873, in one of the worst maritime disasters before the Titanic. On its 19th voyage from Liverpool to New York with around 975 people on board, the ship ran short of coal and diverted to Halifax. Navigational errors caused it to strike rocks near Prospect, Nova Scotia. Rough seas hindered lifeboat launches, trapping many passengers below deck. Local fishermen and others aided in rescue efforts, but 562 people perished, marking it the greatest civilian loss in the North Atlantic at that time.

Sources:

Nova Scotia Archives - Where the Land Meets the Sea: Shipwrecks of Nova Scotia

HMS Tribune: Halifax's first maritime disaster is almost forgotten

Atlantic's Last Stop by Robert Chaulk

They Went Down To The Sea by lay Spicer

Hypothermia: How long can someone survive in frigid water?

The Chilling Truth About Cold Water

SS Atlantic History - Rev. Ancient's Account

The SS Atlantic | Canadian History Ehx

The Final Voyage of SS Atlantic

The S/S Atlantic of the White Star Line, disaster in 1873

HFX Studios

The Wreck of the SS ATLANTIC - Halifax, NS 1873

SS Atlantic - The Mystery of the Davidsons' Grave

The Grave of the Davidsons, from the SS Atlantic

Sable Island: Shipwrecks at the graveyard of the Atlantic

Sable Island: Shipwrecks at the graveyard of the Atlantic | CBC News

Shipwreck Treasures

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Summer Tragedy: The 2018 Fredericton Shooting Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Episode 321: On August 10, 2018, the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, was rocked by a horrific shooting that left four people dead. A man armed with a legally obtained assault-style rifle opened fire in a residential neighbourhood, killing two police officers and two civilians. Constables Robb Costello, 45, and Sara Burns, 43, were gunned down as they responded to reports of shots being fired. The civilian victims were 42-year-old Donnie Robichaud and his girlfriend, 32-year-old Bobbie Lee Wright.

The perpetrator, 48-year-old Matthew Vincent Raymond, was arrested at the scene after exchanging gunfire with other officers. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Raymond was charged with four counts of first-degree murder. At his 2020 trial, two psychiatrists testified that he had a mental disorder that rendered him incapable of understanding his violent actions at the time they were committed. On November 20, 2020, after a nine-week trial, a jury found Raymond not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. Many members of the public, including some members of the victims’ families, feel justice was not served.

Sources:

City of Fredericton

237 Brookside Dr · 237 Brookside Dr, Fredericton, NB E3A 1V3

A summary of the Matthew Raymond quadruple murder trial

‘I am just shaking:’ What people saw and heard during Fredericton shooting

Canada Police Say at Least 4 Dead in Shooting

How the Fredericton shooting unfolded | CBC News

A timeline of the deadly shooting in Fredericton

Police update on Fredericton shooting

Cst. Lawrence Robert “Robb” Costello

Cst. Sara Mae Helen Burns

Donnie Robichaud, father of 3, identified as victim in Fredericton shooting

Obituary information for Bobbie Lee Wright

Fredericton pair killed in shooting spree had just begun dating, friends and relatives say

Thousands attend funeral service for Fredericton officers who made ‘the ultimate sacrifice’

‘It was hard to calm him down,’ says former colleague of alleged Fredericton shooter

Husband of slain Fredericton officer Cst. Sara Burns bids tearful goodbye | YouTube

Fredericton police chief chokes up remembering her fallen officers | YouTube

RCMP officers describe chaotic moments after they burst into Fredericton shooter’s apartment

Jury finds Fredericton shooter Matthew Raymond not criminally responsible

https://publications.gc.ca/Pilot/LoPBdP/BP/prb9922-e.htm

http://criminalnotebook.ca/index.php/Not_Criminally_Responsible_Due_to_Mental_Disorder

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/rr06_1/p1.html

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2023-r001/index-en.aspx

https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/not-criminally-responsible-mental-illness/

https://www.canlii.org/en/commentary/doc/2023CanLIIDocs2081?resultId=8be757e84fed4313b03096185340c5fe&resultIndex=1&searchId=bc7cff8923204edf99f182a027c5a315

https://www.legalline.ca/legal-answers/firearm-possession-and-acquisition-licence-pal/

https://ottawafirearmsafety.ca/pal-application/

https://fseso.org/courses/

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/canadian-residents

Matthew Vincent Raymond | News, Videos & Articles | Global News

2018 Fredericton shooting

A Legal History of the Regulation of Assault-Style Rifles in Canada

Chinese SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle

Firearms expert says rifle used in Fredericton shooting designed 'to kill,' mostly used for hunting | CBC News

Man who killed four people in Fredericton denied new privileges by review board

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All That Remains: The Murder of Mary-Lynn Breeden Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Episode 320: In 1991, the city of Vancouver was rocked by the brutal murder of 29-year-old Mary-Lynn Kimberly Breeden. Friends and family called her Lynn. The charred remains of her body were discovered in a dumpster, with a single bullet wound to the skull. What followed was a complex investigation that would uncover a web of deceit, greed, and cold-blooded violence.

Through witness accounts, advances in forensic evidence, and detailed police work, detectives were able to piece together the chilling details of Breeden's final moments. Their investigation led them to a suspect named Christian Albert Cruz, a male stripper with a history of violence.

As the case unfolded, a tragic tale of betrayal and desperation began to emerge, shedding light on the dark motivations that drove one man to commit such a heinous act. Join us as we delve into the story of the murder of Lynn Breeden and explore the complex human emotions and societal factors that can lead to such senseless violence.

Sources:

Mary-Lynn Breeden - Search - Newspapers.com™

Mary-Lynn Kimberly “Lynn” Breeden (1960-1991) -...

No5 Orange - Dance and Pub Showroom - Vancouver’s famous Gastown

Fraser Arms Hotel

Watch V6A - A feature documentary by Ruggero Romano Online | Vimeo On Demand

1995 CanLII 523 (BC CA) | R. v. Cruz | CanLII

1998 CanLII 5951 (BC CA) | R. v. Cruz | CanLII

The Murder of Mary Lynn Breeden

The Use of Forensic Odontology to Solve a Forensic Science Case - Free Essay Example - Edubirdie

Biography - Linda Agostini - Australian Dictionary of Biography

The Charred Remains of Lynn Breeden

Dental color measurement to predict DNA concentration in incinerated teeth for human identification. - Abstract - Europe PMC

Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: an Introduction to Forensic Science. Pearson, 2017 edition.

"Forensic Files" Charred Remains (TV Episode 1997)

Forensic Files - Season 2, Episode 8 - Charred Remains - Full Episode

Forensic Wheels: Christian Albert Cruz' 1980 Oldsmobile Omega (Lynn Breeden Death Car)

Mary-Lynn Kimberly “Lynn” Breeden (1960-1991) -...

Effect of Fire on DNA and its profiling in homicide cases

Identifying Maui fire victims will depend heavily on DNA

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Shadows of Deception (Part 3): The Murder of Wayne Millard May 27, 2024

Show notes

Episode 319: In the first two parts of our Shadows of Deception series, we delved into the abysmal depths of depravity exhibited by Dellen Millard and Mark Smich through the heinous murders of Tim Bosma and Laura Babcock.

With Millard and Smich already incarcerated for their previous atrocities, a new investigation was launched into the 2012 death of Dellen's father, Wayne Millard, a wealthy aviation businessman. Initially presumed to be a suicide, the circumstances surrounding his demise came under intense scrutiny after his son's sensational arrests for the Bosma and Babcock murders.

After their investigation, authorities arrested Dellen Millard and charged him with the first-degree murder of his father. This shocking twist cast a sinister shadow over the already grim narrative, painting Dellen Millard as a far more depraved criminal than initially realized – one willing to extinguish even the life of his own flesh and blood. It appears that Dellen Millard is a cold-blooded individual who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Sources:

Search: Dellen Millard | Canadian Legal Information Institute | CanLII

2018 ONSC 5602 (CanLII) | R. v. Millard | CanLII

CBC News | Wayward Son

Dellen Millard | News, Videos & Articles | GlobalNews

Letters Between Dellen Millard and Christina Noudga | PDF

Serial killer Dellen Millard found guilty in prison stabbing incident

Serial killer Dellen Millard gets one year in prison for role in prison stabbing | CBC News

Ontario's top court dismisses Millard, Smich conviction appeals in murder of Hamilton's Tim Bosma | CBC News

Serial killer Dellen Millard says he's too smart a crook to commit 'sloppy' Tim Bosma murder

Rosie DiManno: Dellen Millard, convicted of first-degree murder in killing of Tim Bosma, Laura Babcock, is now on trial in the death of his father

Millard murder ruled a suicide inside two days

The Case of Serial Killer Dellen Millard

In jailhouse interview, Dellen Millard admits for first time he had a part in Tim Bosma’s murder

Killer Mark Smich’s move to medium-security prison outrages victims’ families

Ann Brocklehurst, Dark Ambition: The Shocking Crime of Dellen Millard & Mark Smich.

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Shadows of Deception (Part 2): The Murder of Laura Babcock May 20, 2024

Show notes

Episode 318: In the previous episode, we explored the shocking murder of Tim Bosma and the subsequent trial that brought two killers to justice. However, their trail of violence did not end there. In this second installment of our three-part series, we delve into the tragic case of Laura Babcock, 23, whose July 2012 disappearance from Toronto was eventually attributed to Dellen Millard and Mark Smich. We'll learn a bit about Laura’s life and examine the circumstances surrounding her vanishing and the painstaking yet unsuccessful search efforts to uncover her remains. You’ll hear disturbing details that emerged during the trial for her murder, shedding even more light on the twisted dynamics between Millard, Smich, and their unfortunate victim. This episode serves as a prelude to the final chapter, where we'll explore the most shocking revelation of all, that Dellen Millard also killed his father, Wayne, for his money.

Sources:

Search — Laura Babcock | Toronto Star

Laura Babcock had an intense fear of death since childhood, court hears in murder trial for Dellen Millard and Mark Smich

Laura Babcock had intense fear of death since childhood, court hears

Toronto family receives death certificate years after daughter was murdered

Who was Laura Babcock? A look into her life as the trial into her presumed death continues | CBC News

Dellen Millard, Mark Smich found guilty of murder in Laura Babcock’s death

What the jury didn't hear in the Laura Babcock murder trial

Laura Babcock, horoscope for birth date 12 February 1989, born in Etobicoke, with Astrodatabank biography

Dec 12, 2019, page A30 - Red Deer Advocate at Newspapers.com

Dec 07, 2017, page 2 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com

2015 ONSC 6206 (CanLII) | R. v Millard and Smich | CanLII

2017 ONSC 7584 (CanLII) | R. v. Millard | CanLII

R. v. Ward-Jackson, (2018) O.J. No. 163 | PDF | Sentence (Law) | Crime & Violence

2018 ONSC 178 (CanLII) | R. v. Ward-Jackson | CanLII

2018 ONSC 5602 (CanLII) | R. v. Millard | CanLII

2023 ONCA 418 (CanLII) | R. v. Millard | CanLII

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Shadows of Deception (Part 1): The Murder of Tim Bosma May 13, 2024

Show notes

Episode 317: Tim Bosma, a 32-year-old family man from Ancaster, Ontario, went missing in May 2013 after taking two men for a test drive of his truck. The two men were later identified as Dellen Millard, a 27-year-old heir to a Canadian aviation empire, and Mark Smich, a 24-year-old drug dealer and aspiring rapper. This case would expose the disturbing reality of Millard and Smich's cold-blooded violence and web of deceit.

The investigation into Bosma's disappearance was just the beginning of uncovering the harrowing events surrounding Millard and Smich. In 2012, before Bosma's murder, they had killed Millard's 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, Laura Babcock. Later that same year, they shockingly took the life of Dellen's father, Wayne Millard.

As the details of the Tim Bosma case unfold, the stage is set for the equally horrific events of the murders of Laura Babcock and Wayne Millard to come to light in parts 2 and 3 of this true crime series. The disturbing stories of these two killers, Dellen Millard and Mark Smich, reveal a chilling trail of devastation left for the families and communities impacted by their callous acts of violence.

Sources:

Tim Bosma: A timeline of the police investigation and murder trial

Cellphone records to play big role in Tim Bosma murder trial | CBC News

The Murder of Tim Bosma : The Devil Had a Name | CBC News

Kijiji Statement

Millard roommate testifies about visiting hangar on day Bosma disappeared | CBC News

Hundreds attend Tim Bosma memorial service

Wife of Tim Bosma pleads for his safe return - Toronto

Clairmont: Whatever it takes to find Tim Bosma

Hamilton will always remember Tim Bosma

Tim Bosma remembered: father, husband, son and friend | CBC News

Everything We Learned at the Tim Bosma Murder Trial

Tim Bosma: The beginning. and the end

‘We have waited for justice’: Tim Bosma’s widow speaks Millard, Smich guilty verdict | Watch News Videos Online

Tim Bosma Found Dead | Global News | YouTube

Bosma Murder Charge | Global News | YouTube

Search: Dellen Millard | Canadian Legal Information Institute | CanLII

2015 ONSC 6206 (CanLII) | R. v Millard and Smich | CanLII

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Morning Run Cut Short: The Murder of Marguerite Telesford May 06, 2024

Show notes

Episode 316: On January 18, 1987, 20-year-old University of Victoria student Marguerite Telesford disappeared during a morning jog in Saanich, British Columbia. Her bloody earmuffs, bloodstains, a discharged shotgun shell, and a pry bar were found, suggesting foul play, but her body was never located. In 1989, Scott Ian MacKay was convicted of second-degree murder concerning Telesford's death despite maintaining his innocence. MacKay had a history of violent assaults on women. Recently, after serving a life sentence, MacKay was controversially granted day parole, raising concerns from the community and victim advocates about public safety risks and his lack of remorse.

Sources:

Marguerite Telesford - Mount Doug Alumni Association

Archive dive: The 1987 murder of a UVic student who vanished on her morning run

The 35th Anniversary of the Saanich Indian Territorial Declaration

Neighbourhood History Tillicum

"Marguerite Telesford" - Search - Newspapers.com™

1988 CanLII 2888 (BC SC) | B.C. (A.G.) v. Pac. Press Ltd. | CanLII

1992 CanLII 5990 (BC CA) | R. v. MacKay | CanLII

Dead Ends: B.C. Crime Stories

CANADA - Marguerite Telesford, Missing since January 18, 1987 from Saanich, Victoria, BC; 2nd degree murder conviction

Jack Knox: Marguerite Telesford murder a story without end

Jan 20, 1987, page 1 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com

Jan 20, 1987, page 3 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Jan 21, 1987, page 8 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

Jan 22, 1987, page 4 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Jan 23, 1987, page 3 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Apr 14, 1988, page 1 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Apr 21, 1988, page 1 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Jan 19, 1989, page 12 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Jan 19, 1989, page 1 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Jan 19, 1989, page 9 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com

Jan 25, 1989, page 5 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Jan 25, 1989, page 13 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com

Jan 26, 1989, page 11 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Jan 28, 1989, page 9 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com

Feb 02, 1989, page 3 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Feb 04, 1989, page 3 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com

Feb 05, 1989, page 8 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Feb 06, 1989, page 3 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Feb 08, 1989, page 1 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

May 15, 1993, page 1 - Times Colonist at Newspapers.com

Jan 27, 1998, page 2 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Mar 17, 2024, page A4 - The Province at Newspapers.com

Man convicted of murdering UVic student 37 years ago gets day parole

‘Baffling’: B.C. murderer who killed university student granted day parole - BC

High-risk offender to reside in Vancouver - Vancouver Police Department

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More than Meets the Eye: The Murder of Barbara Stoppel Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Episode 315: Barbara Gayle Stoppel, a 16-year-old waitress, was tragically murdered on December 23, 1981, in the women's washroom of Ideal Donut Shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was strangled with a twine, and despite being found alive, she succumbed to her injuries after six days on life support. The murder case quickly became notorious not only due to its brutal nature but also because of the wrongful conviction of Thomas Sophonow, who was initially accused of the crime.

Sophonow underwent three separate trials: the first ended with a hung jury, and the second and third led to convictions ultimately overturned by the Manitoba Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear a Crown appeal, leading to Sophonow's final acquittal. This case is frequently cited as a significant example of a miscarriage of justice involving flawed eyewitness identifications and police misconduct during the interrogation process.

Despite Sophonow's exoneration, the actual perpetrator remained at large until a re-investigation of the case pointed to another suspect, Terry Arnold, who was already known to police for similar offences, having left a trail of depravity, sexual assaults and suspected murder in his wake. This revelation came too late to be pursued thoroughly, as Arnold died by suicide in 2005.

The impact of this case has been profound, leading to public scrutiny over police procedures and the reliability of eyewitness testimony. It has also been the subject of several books and a public inquiry which sought to prevent such injustices in the future.

Sources:

barbstoppel.com

Thomas Sophonow | Innocence Canada

City of Winnipeg

1984 CanLII 2912 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow | CanLII

1984 CanLII 3811 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow (No.1) | CanLII

1986 CanLII 104 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow (No.2) | CanLII

1999 CanLII 6576 (BC SC) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

2001 BCCA 374 (CanLII) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

2005 BCCA 611 (CanLII) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

Body of suspect in Winnipeg killing found in Victoria

Drifter

Thomas Sophonow Inquiry

Letter of Apology to Tom Sophonow

1bpm85fqb_903420

Stoppel

Exclusive: Thirty years later, survivor details encounter with serial killer Terry Arnold

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The Life of the Grey Fox: Bill Miner, Train Robber Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Episode 314: Ezra Allen Miner, more commonly known as Bill Miner, was an infamous American stagecoach and train robber born in Michigan in 1846. Bill Miner's criminal career included an early arrest on April 3, 1866, for robbery, leading to a three-year sentence at San Quentin. Over thirty-five years, Miner was incarcerated for a cumulative total of nearly 30 years, experiencing two official releases and making five escapes from custody. He became infamous in Canada for robbing the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and securing his status as a legendary figure in Canadian outlaw lore, which included an escape from the B.C. Penitentiary in New Westminster.

Known by nicknames such as “The Grey Fox” and the “Gentleman Bandit,” Miner was celebrated for his courteous demeanour during his heists. Furthermore, he is often credited with popularizing the now-iconic command during robberies, “Hands up!”; however, this may be hyperbole. Miner’s blend of politeness and notoriety helped cement his legacy in the annals of Canadian criminal folklore.

Sources:

This Week in History: 1906 - The legendary outlaw Bill Miner robs a train near Kamloops

Bill Miner | Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine

Bill Miner | The Canadian Encyclopedia

The Grey Fox (1982 film) | The Canadian Encyclopedia

"The Grey Fox" (1982) - Movie on Bill Miner - Western Stagecoach Robber | YouTube

The Grey Fox: The True Story of Bill Miner - Last of the Old-Time Bandits

Billy Miner Pie Recipe

Billy Miner | Mission Museum

Bill Miner | Historica Canada Education Portal

Bill Miner | BC Penitentiary Collection

Bill Miner – The Gentleman Outlaw – Golden BC Museum

Bill Miner | NFB Vignette

Old Bill Miner: Last of the Famous Western Bandits

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Murders in Meadowvale: Robert Grewal, Joseph Manchisi and Rene Charlebois Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Episode 313: Douglas Donald Moore, known in Meadowvale, Ontario, as a drug supplier for young teens, gained notoriety in Mississauga for killing three young men before taking his own life in his jail cell while awaiting trial on 11 charges for sexual assaults on three boys. Peel Regional Police assert that Robert Grewal, 22, of Meadowvale, and Giuseppe (Joseph) Manchisi, 20, of Milton, who were close friends, were killed in 2003 by Moore. After Moore’s death, he was named the prime suspect in the murders of Grewal and Manchisi. Additionally, police believe Moore was responsible for killing Rene Charlebois, 15, also of Meadowvale.

All three victims disappeared in late 2003, and their bodies were discovered in spring 2004. Charlebois’ remains were found in an Orangeville landfill, while Grewal and Manchisi’s remains were located in wooded areas near Montreal. In 2005, Moore’s former common-law wife and an unidentified 16-year-old were convicted of accessory to murder after the fact. The teen assisted in disposing of evidence, including driving with Moore to Quebec to bury the bodies of Grewal and Manchisi. Moore believed the two men had stolen drugs and cash from him, but it was later revealed that the 16-year-old was responsible for the robbery. The police have never disclosed the motive behind the killing of Rene Charlebois.

Sources:

Mississauga | Canadian Encyclopedia

History of Mississauga | MIssissauga.ca

Canada's most notorious murder case happened in Mississauga in the 1970s

Improbable Cause: The Harrison Family Murders

Search: Douglas Donald Moore | Newspapers.com

Youth appealing in Manchisi case

Murder victim’s grieving mother still has questions

Dad seeks slain son’s body parts | Toronto Star

Douglas Donald Moore (1968-2004)

Cold North Killers by Lee Mellor | Everand

Douglas Donald Moore | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers