The OPP’s criminal investigations branch has received 13 tips on a 44-year-old cold case since launching a billboard and bus advertising campaign last month.
“We’re getting some good information that’s opening up avenues of investigation to us that we didn’t have before,” said Det.-Insp. John Horne.
In May, the OPP launched the campaign along with a $50,000 reward for anyone with information on the murders of Doreen Hardy, 18, and Jane Bernard, 43, on Aug. 27, 1966. Both women were strangled and their bodies found near Sandy Beach.
Horne said the feedback they’ve received has been encouraging because the campaign is unique for their agency and while they’re still hoping for more people to come forward, but they are gathering useful information despite rusty memories.
“In one particular case, a person called in and provided information but they had actually thought the case had been solved, so they had not come forward and been interviewed by the police back in 1966,” Horne said. “The information they provided was valuable to us in the sense they were letting us know other people that were in the area and who we should be looking at talking to.”
Not only do the police have to contend with faded memories but Horne said even the paper on the case is falling apart. And police methods in the 1960s were a lot different than they are now.
“People have to remember we weren’t there,” said Horne. “We’re not sitting on every corner watching.”
The OPP are hoping somebody who’s been holding details inside will decide to come forward after all these years.
“Tips have been good but we’re hoping there’s more people out there that maybe were just a little reluctant to talk to the police before and what we’re hoping is they will come forward and they will start talking to us and try to give us that little bit of information that will take it over the top,” said Horne.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local OPP, municipal police department or go online to www.opp.ca.
