Unsolved Homicides
Homicide is the most serious offence in Canada and the Hamilton Police Service is dedicated to pursuing all offenders until they are brought to justice. In in an effort to keep the memories of these victims alive and to solve their murders, the Hamilton Police Service is providing information on unsolved homicides.
It is important to remember that all ‘unsolved’ cases remain open until an arrest is made and charges are laid.
At the time of a murder, witnesses are often reluctant to speak to police because they fear retaliation from others. These fears can fade as time passes. If you have any information about the cases below, please call Hamilton Police Service.
2017
On October 16, 2017, at approximately 3:40 a.m., a 911 call was placed by a male from a residence on Barton St E near Lottridge in East Hamilton. The male stated that his girlfriend Nicole Dragisic, 37, had been shot. EMS arrived and transported Dragisic to Hamilton General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. There has been some cooperation from Nicole’s friends and associates but HPS continues to seek information on this investigation.
Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact the Major Crime Unit at 905-546-3829.
2015
At approximately 10:45 p.m., on December 21, 2015, the Hamilton Police Service received 911 calls from two separate males in a residence on Miller Drive in Ancaster. They advised that they were the victims of an apparent home invasion in which …
On August 12, 2015, at approximately 8:30 p.m. police were dispatched to a shooting at the ‘Jamesville’ housing complex in the neighbourhood between MacNab and James St N. Police received several calls for “shots …
On February 12, 2015, a family member attended Hamilton Police with concerns as to Hasan’s whereabouts. The last time anyone has seen or heard from Hasan was in the fall of 2006 when a family member dropped her off at the …
2014
At about 4:40 a.m., on January 1, 2014, HPS Officers and EMS responded to several 911 calls about a shooting near a residence on Sherman near Barton in Hamilton. About 50 to 60 people had been attending an ‘after hours’ party in a …
2012
At about 8:15 p.m., on April 6, 2012, the suspect attended an active ‘crack-house’ located on Madison Avenue in central Hamilton. A female came to the door but didn’t recognize the suspect, so he was refused entry. At this …
2010
On Thursday December 30, 2010, at 10:46 a.m., Hamilton Police Service received a 911 call from a male at a rural address on Indian Trail in Ancaster. The male reported finding his friend, Audrey Gleave, dead at her residence. HPS and EMS/Fire …
On the morning of August 16, 2010, Joseph Melo was discovered deceased inside his business at 1217 Main St. E., Hamilton. Joe operated a commercial pharmacy that distributed to nursing homes and wasn’t open to the public. Joe Melo was a …
On May 24, 2010, at approximately 11:30 a.m., police were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle collision involving an injured person on Craigmiller and Rosslyn Ave in Hamilton. First police on scene discovered a female, later identified as …
2007
Just before 3:00 a.m. on December 29, 2007, the body of Rigoberto Mendez was found on the street at Barton and Chestnut in Hamilton. Initially, investigators believed Mr. Mendez may have been a victim of a fail to remain collision. After further …
2004
On December 2, 2004 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Hamilton Police responded to an apartment at 226 Rebecca Street in Hamilton. Upon entering the apartment they discovered the body of 79-year-old Thelma Clapham.
Ms. Clapham died as a result …
2003
At 10:45 p.m. on October 21, 2003, Hamilton Police received a 911 call from a male inside a residence located on Maplewood Avenue in Hamilton. There had just been a home invasion by four armed black males. The suspects demanded money and when …
2002
Just before closing time on a Sunday night at 11:00 p.m., on August 2, 2002, a lone male entered the Mr. Sub shop on Concession Street to rob the attendant. The suspect brandished a knife and demanded cash. Unbeknownst to the robber, Ron …
2000
At about 6:30 a.m., on December 3, 2000, HPS and Fire responded to a house fire at a private residence on Pinewarbler Drive, near Limeridge Mall. The fire was extinguished and a subsequent check of the house found the homeowner, Kathryn Dow, dead …
On March 23, 2000, first responders found a badly beaten Damian Dymitraszcuk in a storage unit at 55 Lancing Drive (near Nebo Rd) in Hamilton. The victim succumbed to his injuries three days later. Investigators discovered Mr. Dymitraszcuk had …
1999
Clyde Frost was 80-years-old in January 1999 when he went missing from his Hamilton home, where he lived with his wife Julette Frost and her two daughters. He was last seen on January 23, leaving XXXX. His body was located in Toronto on February …
1998
On November 16, 1998, Lynn and Fred Gilbank were found shot to death in their Ancaster home. Andre Gravelle and Ion (Jonny K-9) Croitoru were arrested for the couple’s murder but the charges were later withdrawn by the Crown Attorney, …
Sheryl Sheppard last spoke to her mother on January 1, 1998. Sheryl and her boyfriend Michael Lavoie had attracted attention locally when he had proposed to her on TV the night before during a New Year’s Eve party at the Hamilton Convention …
1997
In the early morning hours on January 22, 1997, tenants living at 101 West Ave North, in Central Hamilton, heard fellow resident Sean Drennan scream from his 3rd floor apartment. Tenants heard footsteps on the back staircase just …
1995
At 2:00 a.m. on October 19, 1995, Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police and the Hamilton Fire Department responded to a fully engulfed fire in Unit P at 25 Bryna on the Hamilton Mountain. Two of the unit’s tenants had escaped but the owner was …
Helen Gillings was 19-years-old at the time of her murder and frequented the area of King Street East and Emerald Street North in Hamilton. She was a sex trade worker working in the area and often attended a former bar called the Straw Hat …
1991
On December 2, 1991, Victoria Sicurella was found murdered in her home on Limeridge Road West. She has been out at the grocery store that afternoon and she didn’t pick up her 7-year-old son from school. She was discovered by a friend close …
1988
On June 25, 1988, Nasir Hirji was found murdered inside his apartment. Mr. Hirji was a single gay man who was known to have many relationships. It would appear that whoever did this had known Nasir and killed him before stealing some of his …
1987
Born in Iraq, Maurice Yacoob emigrated to Canada and changed his name to Young. He lived in Toronto, where he owned several stores and properties. In 1987, he was about to close on a property at 1 Duke Street in Hamilton, but the transaction …
1985
On September 1, 1985, Philip Van Impe was driving along Leinster Avenue just after midnight, when his car began to stall so he pulled over to investigate. As he was about to get back in and drive away, he was approached from behind and struck on …
On the morning of August 25, 1985, Brent Roddick was at his brother’s house on Hamilton’s east mountain. Mr. Roddick and two others noticed that a white Lincoln Continental (later believed to be a 1980-83 Mark VI Signature series with …
1984
On May 9, 1984, at about 1:45 a.m., the Red Devils Motorcycle Club clubhouse was sprayed with bullets. The clubhouse was located on Arden Ave on the Beach strip and the shooter had driven up beside it on the QEW. One of the bullets hit Red Devils …
On February 15, 1984, Frank Lightheart and a friend were returning to Mr. Lightheart’s Binbrook residence. Upon arriving at the house, Mr. Lightheart noticed that the curtains were different from the way they had been when he had left the …
1982
At about 9:45 p.m. on May 20, 1982, Allan Kinloch was driving with his friend on York Blvd after exiting the 403 towards Hamilton. Allan was in the front passenger seat when another car pulled up beside them and fired four shots into the car, …
On the evening of March 3, 1982, neighbours noticed flames coming from the home of Patricia Paraszczuk. They broke down the doors in an attempt to rescue Patricia but were overcome by the fire. Hamilton Fire Department distinguished the fire and …
1973
Gail was last seen at about 11 p.m. on September 25, 1973, when she returned home from a local bar with an unknown male. Noises were heard in her apartment around 1 a.m. but no one called police to investigate. Her body was found two days later …