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Police investigate double homicide in north end (update: victims could have been dead for days)

One person is in custody

Barrie Police now say the two men found murdered in a north-end home this morning could have died up to four or five days ago.

The bodies were discovered by Barrie Police who went to the home on Eden Drive around 2:25 a.m.

"Obviously anyone that comes across anything that may seem suspicious or evidence wise or may have seen something suspicious, we're asking them to contact police," Barrie Police Const. Nicole Rodgers said. "Because of the long time-line until we have the whole puzzle together, anything can come up."

Barrie Police say the investigation began at 2 a.m. when an Ontario Provincial Police officer spotted a vehicle stopped on Highway 26 in Springwater Township with its 4-way flashers activated. 

The officer stopped and went to the car to confirm everything was OK. 

After a short conversation, the driver then took off down Highway 26 onto Bayfield Street.

The pursuit was terminated on Bayfield Street due to public safety concerns, police say.

The truck involved in the pursuit was found abandoned in Barrie a short time later.

Barrie Police went to the address of the registered owner of the vehicle on Eden Drive and located the bodies of two men inside the home, police say.

Then at 5:15 a.m. OPP had a call for suspicious man walking on Ridge Road in Shanty Bay.

The man was located at Ridge Road and Range Road where he was identified as the same person involved in the pursuit and arrested without incident. 

How and when the victims died is not yet known.

"We're still trying to determine the time of death," said Rodgers.  "It could be anywhere between 4 to 5 days"

"No names are going to be released for the victims or the suspect until all of the next of kin can be notified," Rodgers added. "And due to their connection, since they all reside at the same house we don't want to release any of those identifications."

The accused is a 45-year old Barrie man who lived with the two victims and was known to police, Rodgers said. 

He will be appearing in court tomorrow.

Police say there is no threat to public safety but they expect to be holding the scene for a couple of days as forensic teams do their work.

Autopsies will be performed to determine how the men were murdered.

"The biggest thing is we have to determine a time-line and because of the potential for the lengthy time-line we're having to hold a larger scene until we can break down all the evidence we need," said Rodgers. 

Neighbours did not seem to know the murdered men very well but some spoke kindly of an older man who lived at the home.

None of the residents would give us their names.

"He would say good morning to me every day," said one neighbour. "He used a walker and would come out every morning and sit in his garage. Nice guy."

Another neighbour thought the senior man lived with his son.

"Time to move," said the woman who has lived on the street for 30 years.

"It's scary," said a another neighbour walking her dog. "I have two young daughters."

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Sue Sgambati

About the Author: Sue Sgambati

Sue has had a 30-year career in journalism working for print, radio and TV. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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