Windsor police say they've solved a homicide that happened nearly two decades ago.
On Friday, Chief Pamela Mizuno announced that a suspect had been identified in the murder of Carol Christou. Christou was found dead in September 2000 at the age of 55 in her Brock Street home.
According to Sergeant Mike Paterson, Christou had injuries consistent with having a violent interaction with another individual. An investigation was immediately launched following the discovery of Christou's body. During the initial investigation, Paterson said numerous people were interviewed and multiple items were saved as evidence.
"Several persons of interest were developed during the initial investigations but unfortunately not enough evidence existed at that time to make an arrest," Paterson explained. "The investigation has been revisited several times since 2000 and again in 2017."
Paterson said that during the 2017 look into the case, several pieces of evidence were retrieved and reexamined. Investigators consulted with the Centre of Forensic Science and evidence was retested, which led to the identifying of a suspect. The suspect had been identified as a person of interest during the initial investigation in 2000.
According to Paterson, the suspect is now deceased and will not be named publicly. Paterson also confirmed that the suspect was a known acquaintance of Christou.
"If this person was alive today, they would be arrested and charged with the murder of Carol Christou," he said.
Mizuno said that the investigation into the homicide involved numerous officers over the 20 year period. She credited the meticulous gathering of evidence along with advancements in technology with being able to make it possible to identify a suspect.
Mizuno added that members of the Windsor Police Service have maintained contact with Christou's family over the years. During Friday's announcement, Mizuno read a letter written by one of Christou's children, which thanked the Windsor Police Service for their determination in solving the case, noting that the news was met with mixed emotions.
"Closure is always important," the letter stated. "Although the pain of losing my mother will never go away, myself and my family are a little closer to reaching that goal."
