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. It is important to remember that all ‘unsolved’ cases remain open until an arrest is made and charges are laid.
The Unsolved Murder of Kathryn Dow
Case Number: 00590867
At about 6:30 am, 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 in her bedroom. Dow was a retired RN from Henderson Hospital. She is survived by a daughter, aged 20, at the time. An examination of the scene revealed that the arson to the home was set after Kathryn was murdered. There is reason to believe that whoever did this was not a stranger; there was no evidence of a break-in or theft. This murder continues to be actively investigated and anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.
The Unsolved Murder of Colin Jardine
Case Number: 03521380
At 10:45 pm 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 they didn’t get it, they punched and shot Colin Jardine. Mr. Jardine was a guest who had dropped by to visit the home’s residents. Although the address was targeted, it would appear the victim was not the intended target.
The Unsolved Murder of Damian Dymitraszczuk
Case Number: 00442155
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 been guarding a marijuana grow operation which had been set up in the unit. Police believe there are individuals who know who killed Mr. Dymitraszcuk.
The Unsolved Murder of Sean Drennan
Case Number: 97309963
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 before two neighbors went to check on Mr. Drennan, who was found stabbed to death in his apartment. Investigators learned Mr. Drennan, a McMaster student, may have been involved in low-level marijuana dealing. Regardless, the nature of the dispute or reason for his murder remains a mystery.
The Unsolved Murder of Nasir Hirji
Case Number: 88040666
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 possessions.
In 1988, many in the LGBTQ community were secretive about their sexual orientation and may have been reluctant to come forward at the time of the murder for a variety of reasons. Investigators hope that changing societal attitudes may prompt someone to come forward with new information.
The Unsolved Murder of Maurice Young
Case Number: 87081708
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 deteriorated and ended up in a lawsuit.
On December 14, 1987, Mr. Young attended one of his businesses on Upper James when he was confronted in the parking lot by a male in his 20s. There was a heated exchange before the male shot Young and fled the scene. Mr. Young was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery. He didn’t recover and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on March 19, 1988.
Mr. Young suffered a series of strokes that affected his memory before his death; however, he indicated he recognized his attacker and believed the shooting was a result of the ongoing lawsuit.
A male was arrested but never charged in the murder. It remains unsolved.
The Unsolved Murder of Philip Vanimpe
Case Number: 85051306
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 the head with an unknown object. Mr. Van Impe collapsed on the ground and complied with the male robber’s request for his keys and wallet. He also believed he may have lost consciousness for a few minutes. Initially, the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police investigated the crime as a robbery and stolen car. However, Mr. Impe’s head injury became progressively worse and he was hospitalized. He died as a direct result of his head injury on October 6, 1985.
The suspect is described as male, white, 6’1”, 180 pounds with a medium build. He had short, straight dark hair and was wearing dark clothes and a jacket.
The Unsolved Murder of Brent Roddick
Case Number: 8509700
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 a wheel well cover in the trunk) was circling the house for about an hour. Finally, just after 8:00 am, the dogs inside started barking at someone near the front door. Mr. Roddick went to look outside and was shot as soon as he opened the door. He collapsed and died shortly afterwards. A neighbour saw a male, 6’ tall with dark clothing, running towards a large car which then drove off.
Mr. Roddick had been an active member of the Satan’s Choice Motorcycle Club. There is no doubt that Mr. Roddick’s murder is somehow connected to rival clubs in Hamilton as there was a ‘biker war’ going on at the time. Michael Carey had been murdered in 1984 at the Red Devil’s club house. An attempted murder on another Satan’s Choice member had also occurred during that same year. In December 1983, a small bomb had been detonated at the Satan’s Choice club house on St Matthews St, Hamilton.
The Unsolved Murder of Michael Carey
Case Number: 84022600
On May 9, 1984, at about 1:45 am, 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 member Michael Carey and he was killed instantly. Four other members of the club were also inside at the time. Some believed this had been retaliation for a beating laid upon Satan’s Choice MC member Brent Roddick (who was killed in 1985) by Red Devils members a few days before this murder. The murder may also have been in retaliation for a previous incident of disrespect levelled at the Red Devils. Given the association with biker gangs, few individuals at the time were willing to come forward with information.
The Unsolved Murder of Frank Lightheart
Case Number: 84007434
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 house. He ran into the house thinking someone was stealing his drug stash. His friend heard him yell something inside and then heard shots fired. Another friend then arrived and they both managed to pull safely out of the driveway. They saw a 1977-78 dark blue vehicle leave the property. They backed away and went to the police station to report what they heard. No emergency call was made. Police attended and found Mr. Lightheart dead from several gunshot wounds inside his home. Mr. Lightheart was known to be involved in the drug trade and investigators believe his murder was the result of this association.
Police are well aware of Mr. Lightheart’s associates at the time, with some of them still involved in the drug trade today.
The Unsolved Murder of Allan Kinloch
Case Number: 82024200
At about 9:45 pm 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, killing Allan. The large dark green car, with two or three males inside, then did a U-turn and sped off towards Burlington. Allan’s friend sped into Hamilton and flagged down a couple of patrol officers at York and Bay. Allan was rushed to the Hamilton General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few minutes later. Allan had been a member of the Satan’s Choice Motorcycle Club and this seemed to be a part of the ‘biker war’ that occurred in Hamilton during the 1980s. It is also a possibility that he was killed in retribution for a dispute within his own gang.
Unfortunately, as in many murders linked to criminal organizations, there were few witnesses willing to cooperate at the time. It is hoped that with the passage of time that people who were originally reluctant to speak with the police will now come forward.
Anyone with information about any of these unsolved homicides is being asked to contact S/Sgt Dave Oleniuk in Major Crime at 905-546-3829.
Source:
Hamilton Unsolved Homicides
Someone Saw Something 
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