LOCATED – Pamela Harvey

The body of Pamela Harvey, who was reported missing in Sudbury, Ont., on Dec. 25, 1978, has been positively identified by Quebec provincial police.

It has been 47 years.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) explains that in March 1979, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in Saint-Eustache, Que.

“Investigators determined that she had been the victim of a homicide,” the force notes. “Despite the limitations of forensic science at the time, evidence was carefully collected and preserved by investigators and specialists at the [Laboratory of Forensic Science and Medicine] LSJML, and has been kept secure ever since.”

Police explain that modern-day technologies, including DNA analysis as part of a 2018 national DNA Program for Missing Persons, allowed them to positively identify Pamela.

Pamela was 23 at the time of her disappearance, and was last seen in the Greater Sudbury region.

“[Greater Sudbury police] (GSPS) investigators met with Pamela Harvey’s family members and collected DNA samples, which were entered into the national database as part of ongoing efforts to solve her case,” the SQ said.

“In 2025, as part of this collaboration, a forensic odontologist was able to establish a link between the case of Pamela Harvey’s disappearance and the unidentified homicide victim discovered in Saint-Eustache.”

The identification was confirmed by Quebec’s Coroner’s office.

“This outcome reflects the significant progress in forensic science that has made this resolution possible today,” the SQ said. “This confirmation provides long-awaited answers to Pamela’s family and ensures that her identity and story are no longer unknown.”

The force states that Pamela’s family has requested privacy “as they navigate this extremely painful ordeal” and will not be speaking publicly.

“After 47 years of uncertainty, Pamela Harvey’s family can finally grieve in peace, knowing that her identity has been restored with dignity and respect,” the SQ adds. “This victim was never forgotten, and her case stands as a testament to the unwavering perseverance of investigators from various jurisdictions who always believed it was possible to find answers.”

The person presumed responsible for Pamela Harvey’s death died in 1979, police note.

Pamela’s identification was a collaboration between the SQ, the GSPS, the Quebec Coroner’s office and the LSJML, affiliated with the Quebec Ministry of Public Safety.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Pamela Harvey, whose strength and patience have endured for decades, as well as our profound gratitude to the dedicated professionals whose collaboration, compassion and commitment have made it possible for this victim’s story to be told,” the SQ concluded.

Source: CTV News

Pamela Harvey
Alias: May also use the last name of Rousseau
Case reference: 2014001474
Missing since: November 16, 1978
Missing from: Sudbury, ON
Date of birth: March 7, 1955
Age at disappearance: 23 yrs
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: White
Eye color: Brown
Hair: Blonde/reddish blonde, Long
Teeth: Protruding Uppers (may just be an overbite)
Height: 168 cms / 5ft 6in
Weight: 56 kgs / 123 lbs
Physical Build: Medium
Complexion: Light/Fair
Details: In late 1978, Pamela was last seen at her apartment complex on Lloyd Street, in Sudbury, Ontario. She had left her son with her neighbor and never returned. Pamela’s bank account has not been accessed and her apartment was left untouched. Family had been expecting her for the Christmas holidays and she did not attend. When they began inquiring after her whereabouts, they discovered that she had been missing for some time.

It is suspected that she may have witnessed or have knowledge of a murder committed just days prior to her disappearance. Allegedly, at the time of her disappearance, Pamela was dating Leonard Daoust. On November 12, 1978, a man named James Dacey was shot and killed on a hill directly across the street from the Kingsway Hotel. A witness who lived in the apartment beside the scene said they saw a getaway vehicle next to the building, parked in what’s now called the Columbus Tot Lot. Dacey’s body was discovered by one of his friends that night, who then called an ambulance from the Kingsway Hotel. Soon after, Leonard Daoust and a man named Rene Ranger were arrested for the murder of James Dacey. Pamela would disappear 4 days later.

Initially, law enforcement did not take Pamela’s disappearance seriously. They had assumed she took off because of Leonard’s trial and would eventually return. This resulted in little to no media attention on Pamela’s case. Pamela’s family is steadfast in their belief that she would never abandon her son. This also casts doubt on how Pamela’s son came to be at her neighbors home.

Her family held onto hope she would come home once it was safe to do so. Police cautioned them not to get involved because the case had alleged ties to a notorious biker gang. In the 90’s, Pamela’s parents hired a private investigator who traced her SIN # to an address in Thunder Bay, Ontario but the person ended up not being Pamela. It is unknown how this person had her SIN # and what the outcome ended up being.

*Note: Canada’s Missing has her disappearance as December 18, 1978 and Sudbury Crimestoppers has it as December 1, 1978.

If you have information on Pamela’s case, please contact any of the following:
Greater Sudbury Police Service: (705) 675-9171 ext 2300
Reference Case#: 78-39434

Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
Online at: https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/tips
Crime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Sources: Canada’s Missing, Sudbury CrimeStoppers, The Sudbury Star, Sudbury dot come