On December 23rd, 1977, Russell Floyd Cook was found deceased in a ditch on South Middle Road, Maidstone Township, approximately 0.8 KM (1/2 mile) south of Essex County Road Number 46, in Essex County, Ontario. “Rocky” died as a result of a single gunshot to the chest. He was last seen alive leaving the Swingland Hotel in Lakeshore around 10:30pm on December 22, 1977, with some associates. Investigators believe robbery was the motive for the crime
“Rocky” was a life long resident of Essex County and lived at RR #1 South Woodslee and an ambulance attendant, at the time of his death.
The case went cold for decades until the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) re-opened the investigation in February 2007. In the years following, the OPP offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
In 2010, police announced a significant development: they had located DNA evidence from the crime scene, which was not available for testing with the technology of 1977. Technical investigators also re-mapped the crime scene using modern technology, expressing confidence that new forensic evidence and gathered statements would help identify the person responsible.
The case remains unsolved, and police continue to seek the public’s assistance.
If you have any information regarding the unsolved homicide of Russell Floyd “Rocky” Cook, please contact any of the following:
Director of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Ontario Provincial Police:
Telephone: 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 329-6111
File # 955-10-066-1995
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping
Source: OPP
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