25th September 2023 · Episode 223
Morbidology the Podcast - 223: Tanya Smith & Misty Cockerill
57 Min · By Emily G. Thompson
Situated approximately 70 kilometres from Vancouver, Abbotsford stands as a bedroom community in Canada. The cityscape is marked by extensive farmlands, orchards, and rolling hills that lend to its quaint rural allure. However, in 1995, Abbotsford was shaken by a brutal assault on two teenage girls who were making their way home from a party. Following the grim incident, the assailant initiated a series of unsettling phone calls to the police, forewarning of impending acts of violence. Detectives raced against the clock to identify the individual before he could make good on his threats.
Situated approximately 70 kilometres from Vancouver, Abbotsford stands as a bedroom community in Canada. The cityscape is marked by extensive farmlands, orchards, and rolling hills that lend to its quaint rural allure. However, in 1995, Abbotsford was shaken by a brutal assault on two teenage girls who were making their way home from a party. Following the grim incident, the assailant initiated a series of unsettling phone calls to the police, forewarning of impending acts of violence. Detectives raced against the clock to identify the individual before he could make good on his threats.
Sources:
Waterloo Region Record, 16 October, 1995 – “Teen Murdered, Friend Attacked”
The Hamilton Spectator, 17 October, 1995 – “Police Have Good Lead in Attack”
Waterloo Region Record, 19 October, 1995 – “Girl, 16, Beaten Before Drowning”
The Hamilton Spectator, 20 October, 1995 – “Communiuty in Fear After Teen’s Killer Threatens to Kill Again”
Waterloo Region Record, 20 October, 1995 – “Suspect Taunts Police”
The Hamilton Spectator, 21 October, 1995 – “Warning Creates a Ghost Town”
The Kingston Whig-Standard, 21 October, 1995 – “Kingston Police Help in Hunt for Killer”
The Hamilton Spectator, 23 October, 1995 – “Killer Has Struck Again”
The Toronto Star, 23 October, 1995 – “Victim Foils Abduction Bid”
The Hamilton Spectator, 27 October, 1995 – “Teen Organizes Rally After Girl, 16, Slain”
The Hamilton Spectator, 28 October, 1995 – “Teens Holding Rally to Fight Fear in Wake of Brutal Murder”
The Hamilton Spectator, 2 November, 1995 – “Killer Taunts Police with More Threats of Violence”
The Hamilton Spectator, 7 November, 1995 – “Hunted Killer Suspected in Latest Sexual Attack on Young Woman”
Waterloo Region Record, 7 November, 1995 – “Teen Killer May be Rape Suspect”
Waterloo Region Record, 10 November, 1995 – “Three High Profile Leads are Dead Ends”
The Hamilton Spectator, 19 February, 1996 – “I’m Looking for More”
The London Free Press, 19 February, 1996 – “Killer Uproots Victim’s Headstone”
The Hamilton Spectator, 21 February, 1996 – “Taunting Call Leaves Police Frustrated”
The Toronto Star, 21 February, 1996 – “The City Living in Fear of a Killer”
The Toronto Sun, 23 February, 1996 – “Another Message from Killer?”
The Toronto Sun, 25 February, 1996 – “He’s a Creep, a Coward”
The Toronto Sun, 26 February, 1996 – “Fearful B.C. Town Prays”
The Charlotte Observer, 27 February, 1996 – “Teenage Girl’s Murderer Taunts Police in Canada”
The Hamilton Spectator, 16 March, 1996 – “Abbotsford Police Issue Spring Break Safety Warning”
The London Free Press, 27 March, 1996 – “Abbotsford Police Reduce Task Fore to Hunt Killer”
Waterloo Region Record, 1 May, 1996 – “Suspect Gives Police More Clues”
Waterloo Region Record, 2 May, 1996 – “Mother of Slain Teen Appeals for Help in Finding Killer”
Tampa Bay Times, 5 May, 1996 – “Arrest Made in Death of 16-Year-Old Girl”
The Toronto Star, 5 May, 1996 – “Accused Abbotsford Killer is Son of Retired Police Officer”
The Hamilton Spectator, 6 May 1996 – “Killer Suspect not Monster”
The London Free Press, 6 May, 1996 – “Fear Subsides”
The Hamilton Spectator, 7 May, 1996 – “Slain Girl’s Family Breaks into Sobs”
Waterloo Region Record, 7 May, 1996 – “Value of Suspect Sketches in Court”
Waterloo Region Record, 8 May, 1996 – “Friends Say Moose Couldn’t be Guilty”
The Hamilton Spectator, 9 May, 1996 – “The Abbotsford Killer or Just Mr. Average Dad?”
Waterloo Region Record, 5 July, 1996 – “Police Officers Replace Vandalized Headstone of Murdered Girl”
The Hamilton Spectator, 2 November, 1996 – “B.C. Murder Suspect Charged with Assaults”
The London Free Press, 9 September, 1997 – “Admission by Accused Outlined to Murder Trial Jury”
The Standard, 9 September, 1997 – “Accused Killer Denies Charges”
Waterloo Region Record, 10 September, 1997 – “Survivor to Identify Alleged Killer”
The Hamilton Spectator, 11 September, 1997 – “Victim Points to Accused as Murderer”
The Hamilton Spectator, 12 September, 1997 – “Beating Victim Could not Identify Suspect”
Waterloo Region Record, 12 September, 1997 – “Witness Confused About Killer”
The Toronto Star, 16 September, 1997 – “Victim’s Top Blood-Soaked”
The Toronto Star, 17 September, 1997 – “B.C. Accused’s Note Bragged of More Conquests”
Waterloo Region Record, 18 September, 1997 – “Accused Took Children to Murder Victim’s Funeral”
The Ottawa Sun, 26 September, 1997 – “Accused Killer Admits Raping Dying Teen”
Waterloo Region Record, 26 September, 1997 – “Driver Admits he Raped Unconscious Girl”
Waterloo Region Record, 27 September, 1997 – “Accused Killer Attended Gir’s Funeral”
Waterloo Region Record, 30 September, 1997 – “Couldn’t Get Image of the Naked Girl out of His mind”
Waterloo Region Record, 1 October, 1997 – “Tourette’s Syndrome Expert Testifies”
Waterloo Region Record, 2 October, 1997 – “Accused Idolized Dad, Murder Trial is Told”
The Hamilton Spectator, 8 October, 1997 – “Family Awaits Verdict”
The Hamilton Spectator, 17 October, 1997 – “Abbotsford Killer gets 25 years”
The Hamilton Spectator, 22 October, 1997 – “Family Claims Reward”
The Calgary Sun, 14 September, 1998 – “Mother’s Regret”
The North Bay Nugget, 30 November, 1998 – “Killer Unrepentant”
The Abbotsford News, 19 April, 2008 – “I’ve Lived Through Worst of Worst”
