OPP upgrades charges against a 45-year-old Simcoe man after two October deaths are linked. The accused remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Simcoe Man Charged in Two Linked Homicides After October Deaths
Initial Discovery of a Suspicious Death
Ontario Provincial Police say the investigation began on Oct. 5 when 71-year-old Barbara Morgan was found dead inside her home on Head Street South in Simcoe. Officers reported heavy police presence that morning as forensic teams examined the property. A post-mortem later confirmed the death was a homicide, prompting a broader review of recent movements around the neighbourhood and individuals known to the victim.
Arrest Made After Early Findings
Following preliminary evidence gathered in the days after the discovery, police arrested 45-year-old Justin Morgan, the victim’s son, on Oct. 10. He was initially charged with second-degree murder. Investigators continued gathering physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing timelines to determine whether additional individuals or locations were linked to the death.
Search Expands Amid Concern for Missing Man
Later on Oct. 10, officers conducted a search at a home on Stanley Street in Simcoe, where new information raised serious concern for 49-year-old Robert Sykes, who had not been seen since Oct. 4 near Head Street South. Detectives began coordinating search teams and reviewing local surveillance footage in an effort to track Sykes’ last known movements and determine whether his disappearance was connected to the earlier homicide.
Human Remains Found in Rural Haldimand County
On Oct. 16, the investigation widened into Haldimand County, where human remains were discovered in a rural area west of Caledonia and south of Stirling Street. Forensic specialists conducted a post-mortem examination on Oct. 17 at the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, confirming the remains belonged to Sykes. This identification shifted the nature of the investigation, linking two deaths to the same timeframe and region.
Charges Upgraded After Evidence Review
Based on new findings and extensive forensic analysis, OPP announced Thursday that Morgan now faces two counts of first-degree murder. The earlier second-degree murder charge related to his mother’s death has been upgraded. Police said the decision reflects the results of weeks of investigative work, including scene reconstruction and timeline verification, though details on the suspected motives were not disclosed.
Custody and Next Court Appearance
The accused remains in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Simcoe on Friday. Police say the investigation is ongoing, with additional forensic testing and interviews continuing as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding both deaths.
