The Unsolved Murder Of William McIntyre

April 12, 1951 – April 21 1984

On April 21, 1984 the body of William McIntyre was discovered inside his Oakville apartment. A post mortem examination revealed that he died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.

Bill McIntyre was born on April 12, 1951 and resided in Oakville during his early years. He was a particularly good student and spent three years as an apprentice in a mechanics course. Bill decided to become a police officer and joined the OPP on May 1, 1972. Bill worked in Goderich and Sauble Beach, Tobermory, Exeter and Mount Forest. While working as an officer, Bill was well received by the public and received letters of appreciation throughout his career.

On October 1, 1983, Bill was promoted to Corporal. He requested a change of location and was transferred to the Technical Support Branch at OPP GHQ in Toronto. In this position, Bill was actively involved in undercover and physical surveillance work.

Just short of his twelfth year as a police officer, Bill was called by his supervisor to remind his of a work assignment but he could not be reached. Both his personal car and an undercover vehicle were in the parking lot. Some time later, Bill was found dead in his apartment dressed only in jeans and socks, while packing for a work assignment in Kingston. He had been fatally shot and a small-calibre bullet wound was found on the back of his head. There were no signs of a struggle, and his apartment was locked. Investigators found three cigarette butts in an ashtray, though Bill was not a smoker.

Although Bill’s death occurred while he was off-duty, the OPP Commissioner at that time stated that his death was definitely work-related. 

His undercover work made him a high-value target for many criminals he helped convict. A career criminal named Yates, whom Bill had tricked into a confession, was a primary suspect but had an alibi placing him in Orangeville. Investigators explored theories involving his personal life or silencing by fellow officers, but these leads remained unproven.

In 2020, a Joint Force Homicide Team was formed between the Halton Regional Police Service and the OPP to take a fresh look at the case.  Police believe someone in the community – potentially connected to the biker or organized crime scene of the 1980s – holds the key to solving the mystery. 

A $100,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

If you have any information on Bill’s case, please contact the HRPS or Crime Stoppers.

Halton Regional Police
Headquarters
2485 North Service Rd. W. Oakville, Ontario Canada, L6M 3H8
Phone: 905-825-4777
TTY Phone: 1-800-990-8199
Fax: 905-825-9416
Crime Stoppers – 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

Sources: Halton Police Service, OPP, Inside Halton