Montreal Police Solve 2008 Cold-Case Murder After 17 Years
Montreal police have solved a cold-case murder from December 2008 that remained unsolved for nearly 17 years. The victim, 26-year-old Catherine Daviau, was found dead inside her apartment in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough.
Firefighters discovered her body after responding to reports of smoke in the building. Investigators later confirmed that someone killed her before setting a fire to hide evidence.
The case shocked the community and quickly went cold despite early investigative efforts.
Early Evidence but No Suspect
Police determined that Daviau had been sexually assaulted and killed inside her home. Investigators collected DNA evidence from the crime scene.
At the time, forensic technology could not identify a suspect. Leads eventually ran out, leaving the case unsolved for years.
The file remained open but inactive.
New Cold-Case Unit Sparks Breakthrough
In 2025, Montreal police formed a specialized cold-case unit to re-examine unsolved murders. Investigators reviewed old evidence using modern forensic tools.
They applied genetic genealogy, a technique that compares crime-scene DNA with public genealogy databases. This approach identified distant relatives connected to the suspect.
Police traced the evidence to Jacques Bolduc, a convicted criminal who died in prison in 2021.
Suspect Identified Posthumously
Investigators say Bolduc contacted Daviau after she posted her car for sale online. Evidence suggests this contact led him to her apartment.
Because the suspect is deceased, police cannot lay charges. Authorities say the evidence clearly identifies him as responsible.
They believe the findings bring long-awaited closure to the victim’s family.
Impact of Modern Forensic Science
Police say advances in DNA technology are transforming cold-case investigations. Genetic genealogy has helped solve several long-unsolved crimes across Canada.
Officials stress that even decades-old cases can still be resolved.
Montreal police say they will continue reviewing unsolved homicides using modern forensic methods.
