Erin Gilmour, a 22-year-old student, and Susan Theis, a mother of 45, were stabbed to death at their Toronto homes four months apart after being sexually assaulted.
Nearly four decades later, “scientific advances” have allowed the Toronto police to detain Joseph George Sutherland, Inspector Steve Smith told a news conference.
By linking two murders in 2000 with a suspect’s DNA collected at the scene, authorities used genetic genealogy “to identify the family” and thus “reduce the number of suspects,” Smith said.
This investigative method consists of comparing the suspect’s DNA with the family tree of a distant relative.
“If we hadn’t used this technology, we would never have known his name,” Smith explained, adding that Sutherland was never suspected.
“This is the day our family has been looking forward to for most of our lives,” said Sean McCowan, brother of Erin Gilmore.
“In a way, it’s a relief that someone has been arrested. But it also brings back so many memories of Erin and her brutal and senseless murder,” he added.
Aspiring fashion designer Gilmour was the daughter of David Gilmour, co-founder of Barrick Gold, one of the largest gold mining companies in the world.
She had no ties to the second victim, Susan Tice, a family therapist and mother of four, according to police.
Joseph George Sutherland, now 61, will appear in court in early December on charges of first-degree murder.
It may also be linked to other open cases, authorities said, who are continuing to investigate.
