CANADA Canada - Gracelyn Greenidge, 41, Toronto, 28 July 1997

[dotr]

https://www.torontopolice.on.ca/homicide/search.php
Cold Case Files

Homicide #41/1997

Gracelyn
GREENIDGE


Age: 41
Gender: Female
Murdered on: July 29, 1997
Location: 31 Division
Details of Investigation:

On Tuesday, July 29, 1997, at about 6:30 p.m., police responded to a 911 call at 50 Driftwood Avenue.

The victim was discovered inside an apartment residence, suffering from stab wounds, and obviously deceased.

Investigators believe the victim was last seen alive leaving her work place, on Monday, July 28, 1997, at about 11:30 p.m.

 

[dotr]

http://tpsnews.ca/stories/2018/01/50000-reward-1997-murder/

$50,000 Reward in 1997 Murder

By Robert Hale, Toronto Police Service Published: 8:34 a.m. January 2, 2018


Cold Case investigators are a name away from solving a case and are offering up to $50,000 to help find Gracelyn Greenidge’s killer.

"She led an exemplary life and was respected by all who knew her," said Homicide Cold Case Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant.

The 41-year-old nursing assistant never showed up for her July 29, 1997 afternoon shift at a seniors’ residence on Christie St., causing concern among her fellow staff. She was last seen leaving work at 11:30 p.m. the night before.

“A fellow worker went to check on her… through the mail slot Gracelyn could be seen on the floor, covered in blood,” he said.

Police were called at 6:30 p.m. on July 29 to the 50 Driftwood Ave. apartment where she had lived the past four years.

“It was apparent a violent struggle had taken place between the victim and the killer,” Gallant said, noting the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Investigators found evidence at the scene and a DNA profile was developed. That profile has been used to eliminate men who knew Gracelyn, as well as checked against the national DNA databank.

“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA, nothing more,” said Gallant. “Anyone who knew Gracelyn who did not speak to the police during the original investigation is asked to contact Cold Case investigators immediately. You may have the key to this case and not realize it.”

 

[dotr]

http://torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/39977

“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA, nothing more,” said Cold Case Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant. “Anyone who knew Gracelyn who did not speak to the police during the original investigation is asked to contact Cold Case investigators immediately. You may have the key to this case and not realize it.”

Gallant said there are surely others who know what this man has done but have never come forward.

“It has been over 20 years since this murder occurred. It is time to step up and help solve this case,” he said.

VIDEO APPEAL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8oO11zo-WY&feature=youtu.be

 

[Snoop Sister]

Are there previous threads on Gracelyn? I searched on here but can’t seem to find any. I just read about the reward offered in a newspaper.

 

[dotr]

https://globalnews.ca/news/3941273/toronto-police-reward-cold-case-murder/

“There had been a violent struggle in the apartment and there was quite an amount of blood throughout the apartment in different locations,” Det. Sgt. Stacy Gallant told Global News Tuesday, adding the apartment was in “disarray.”

 

[tarabull]

From below an old Globe & Mail article....fwiw:

"...PAST AWARDS OFFERED
The Toronto Police Service has offered the following rewards in the past three years: Sept. 1999: $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of the man known as the Scarborough bedroom rapist; April, 1999: $100,000 for help solving the beating death of Gracelyn Greenidge, 41, whose body was found in her Driftwood Drive home in July, 1997; December, 1998: $100,000 for information in the strangulation of Simone Sandler, 21, whose partly clothed body was found floating in the Keating Channel in 1994; April, 1997: $100,000 for information about the killer of Ali Henry, 21, who was stabbed after a pick-up basketball game at an Etobicoke school in January, 1996."

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/new...gainst-attack-gets-close-look/article4159006/

 

[dotr]

‘VIOLENT STRUGGLE’: $50Gs reward offered in 1997 Toronto murder of nursing assistant
May 2018
"Police collected DNA evidence at the scene and a profile was developed, but no match was found in the national DNA databank and men the victim knew were ruled out.

“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA and nothing more,” Gallant said."
“We believe she was from the Barbados and this is an avenue to reach out to family (as well as the public) for help,” Gallant said.

“(Greenidge) was a registered nurse assistant and she wanted to be and RN … she led an exemplary life,” he added."

 

[dotr]

Where are Toronto Police, OPP on science of family DNA?
May 21, 2018
"Parabon recently uploaded DNA from about 100 crime scenes to GEDmatch.com, the geneology website. That produced as many as 20 matches of a third cousin or closer of the perpetrator.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CANADA?

Many are asking the state of police interest in this process in Canada, and about Canadian law. Are there “rights issues” in the minds of legislators and lawyers? We love our rights. Toronto Police have a hard-working Cold Crime Unit as do many services."

"Retired US prosecutor and now consultant Rockne Harmon tells The Bulldog that rewards are fine but familial DNA may be far better. There are many Ontario and Toronto cases demanding the best methods available to solve the crime. Three such matters are those of Gracelyn Greenidge, Margaret McWilliam and Sonia Varaschin.

 

[dotr]

Bumping.
Reward for info in 1997 North York murder of Gracelyn Greenidge
"Greenidge, a 41-year-old nursing assistant, was found murdered in her apartment at 50 Driftwood Ave. the evening of July 29, 1997. She died from blunt force trauma.


She was found by a colleague who became concerned when Greenidge didn’t show up for work at a Christie Street seniors’ residence. She was last seen alive while leaving work at 11:30 p.m. July 28.

A DNA profile of a male suspect was developed from evidence found at the scene, but has yet to strike a match.

“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA, nothing more,” Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant said. “Anyone who knew Gracelyn who did not speak to the police during the original investigation is asked to contact cold case investigators immediately. You may have the key to this case and not realize it.”

Det. Sgt. Gallant believes there are people who know who killed Greenidge.

“It has been over 20 years since this murder occurred," he said. "It is time to step up and help solve this case."

 

[dotr]

July 6 2022 rbbm.

HUNTER: Cold case victim Gracelyn Greenidge fought for her life

Nurse Gracelyn Greenidge made it as far as the door of her apartment, and there she died from her injuries.

torontosun.com

''Nurse Gracelyn Greenidge made it as far as the door of her apartment, and there she died from her injuries.''

She was murdered in Apt. 506 at 50 Driftwood Ave. on July 28, 1997.

Her killer has remained free in the intervening 25 years.

The Toronto Police Service cold case unit has provided the Toronto Sun with a quartet of unsolved homicides from the month of July that they are hoping to solve. Greenidge’s murder is on the list.

“All four of July’s victims were vulnerable members of our communities,” Det.-Sgt. Steve Smith told the Sun. “We have DNA in two of these murders and are looking at further testing, all we need is a name to match to the offender DNA.”

Greenidge, meanwhile, had immigrated from the Bahamas in the late 1970s looking for a better life in Canada.

On the day she was murdered, she had left work at a seniors’ facility downtown around 11 p.m. It is believed she arrived home safely.

But when she didn’t show up for work the following day, a friend became worried and went to Greenidge’s apartment where she was met with the horror of seeing her friend dead.

“This does not look like a random act,” Det. John Line told CTV News at the time.''

At the time of her murder, Greenidge had reportedly been keeping company with a new man who was unknown to her friends and family.

The person of interested is described as black, mid-30s, 5-foot-9, and 165 pounds. He reportedly often wore a baseball cap and frequented north-end bingo halls.''

 

[2soccermom]

Is it possible she was followed home from work? She made it home -- but maybe her perp ambushed as she was entering? There were signs of a struggle -- but was there forced entry?
Years ago we didn't have as many cameras on the street as we do now -- but might someone have seen something while out for a late-night stroll? Didn't anyone HEAR anything? Could Gracelyn's case be re-invigorated by being featured on one of the true crime shows so popular now?
Also: could LE please tell us if the DNA in Gracelyn's case has been compared to that connected to Sonia Varaschin and Margaret McWilliam? If so, what were the results?

Many of the articles say Gracelyn came to Canada for "a better life" -- it's devastating that she was viciously murdered here.
I hope LE can solve this case better late than never; she deserves justice.

 

[dotr]

2018 rbbm.
By Jessica Patton

Toronto police offer $50k reward for information in 20-year-old murder case - Toronto | Globalnews.ca

Gracelyn Greenidge, 41, was found dead in her apartment at 50 Driftwood Avenue on July 29, 1997 by a co-worker.

globalnews.ca

''Toronto police are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information in relation to a 20-year-old cold murder case.

Gracelyn Greenidge, 41, was found dead in her apartment at 50 Driftwood Avenue on July 29, 1997 by a co-worker who had become concerned when she did not show up for work at the Christie Street senior’s residence, where she was a nursing assistant.

She was last seen leaving shift the night before at 11:30 p.m.

Police said Greenidge died from blunt force trauma. Investigators were able to develop a DNA profile from evidence found at the scene, which has been checked against the national DNA database and used to “eliminate men who knew Gracelyn,” according to a release Tuesday.''


''Gallant said Greenidge’s colleagues described her as caring and compassionate.

“Always smiling. Always very joyous and always very helpful,” he said. “She led an exemplary life and was respected by all who knew her.”

Greenidge had moved to Toronto from Barbados with hopes of becoming a registered nurse.''

 

[Snoop Sister]

Bump

 

[dotr]

'VIOLENT STRUGGLE': $50Gs reward offered in 1997 Toronto murder of nursing assistant

TORONTO — Toronto Police are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for help solving the brutal murder of a nursing assistant 20 years ago.

torontosun.com

''Police collected DNA evidence at the scene and a profile was developed, but no match was found in the national DNA databank and men the victim knew were ruled out.
“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA and nothing more,” Gallant said.''

https://www.tps.ca/organizational-chart/specialized-operations-command/detective-operations/investigative-services/homicide/case/41/1997/

Homicide #41/1997
Case #: None
31 Division
Victim

Gracelyn GREENIDGE​

Age: 41
Gender: F
Murdered on: July 29, 1997
Location: 31 Division

Details of Investigation​

On Tuesday, July 29, 1997, at about 6:30 p.m., police responded to a 911 call at 50 Driftwood Avenue. The victim was discovered inside an apartment residence, suffering from stab wounds, and obviously deceased. Investigators believe the victim was last seen alive leaving her work place, on Monday, July 28, 1997, at about 11:30 p.m.''

 

[DS2021]

‘VIOLENT STRUGGLE’: $50Gs reward offered in 1997 Toronto murder of nursing assistant
May 2018
"Police collected DNA evidence at the scene and a profile was developed, but no match was found in the national DNA databank and men the victim knew were ruled out.

“We have the killer’s DNA, now we just need a name to go with the DNA and nothing more,” Gallant said."
“We believe she was from the Barbados and this is an avenue to reach out to family (as well as the public) for help,” Gallant said.

“(Greenidge) was a registered nurse assistant and she wanted to be and RN … she led an exemplary life,” he added."

@othram this may be something for you

 

[Snoop Sister]

@othram this may be something for you

Exactly!

 

[dotr]

SOLVED!
SK Kenneth Smith, more info forthcoming..

HUNTER: Cold case cops ID serial killer who murdered three Toronto women

Cold case detectives have identified a sex-crazed serial killer who viciously murdered three women between 1982 and 1997.

torontosun.com

Kenneth Leslie Smith TPS
''Toronto Police and OPP cold case detectives have identified a sex-crazed serial killer who viciously murdered three women between 1982 and 1997.''

Smith died in Windsor in 2019. He was 72 at the time.

Det. Sgt. Steve Smith, of the vaunted TPS cold case unit, said “the murders were sexually driven,” and that the killer had done a substantial amount of time behind bars, “much of it federal.”

Kenneth Leslie Smith TPS
The known homicides involve the slayings of Welsh nanny Christine Prince in 1982, sometime escort Claire Samson, who was killed in 1983, and nurse Gracelynn Greenidge, who was murdered in 1997.

“But in these investigations, we try to fill in the blanks and see if the suspect is responsible for any other murders,” Smith said. “And that’s what we’re doing now.”

DNA used to ID the killer​

The killer was originally from South Porcupine, outside Timmins, and later moved to the Toronto area. For unknown reasons, following his last jolt in prison, he moved to Windsor.''

 

[dotr]

After 28 Years, Gracelynn Greenidge's Killer is Identified

Toronto Police Service Leverages Othram's Forensic Sequencing Platform to Identify the Suspect in the 1997 Murder of Gracelynn Greenidge

dnasolves.com

''In 2017, an STR DNA profile belonging to an unknown male was developed from a swab taken from a table leg at the scene. Although the profile did not match a known person, it matched DNA from two other Toronto-area murders: the 1982 murder of 25-year-old Christine Prince and the 1983 murder of 23-year-old Claire Samson, who went by “KC” or “Casey.” Prince was last seen on June 21, 1982 on a streetcar, and her body was found the next day near the Rouge River. Samson was last seen getting into a beige vehicle driven by an older white male with gray or thinning hair; she was found on September 2, 1983 in a wooded area in Oro-Medonte Township, shot twice in the head with a .22 caliber firearm''.

Murder victim Gracelyn Greenridge. Toronto Sun files

HUNTER: Cold case cops ID serial killer who murdered three Toronto women

Cold case detectives have identified a sex-crazed serial killer who viciously murdered three women between 1982 and 1997.

torontosun.com

Dec 11, 2025
“We were fortunate in that we had DNA in all three cases, but there was such a tiny amount that was usable,” Det. Sgt. Smith said, adding that TPS began working with the OPP in 2017 when they realized two of the cases were linked. “The science improved, and we did phenotyping, which revealed the killer was a white male.

“We took a risk and submitted the DNA we had to Othram.”

Othram is a Texas lab that has been on the cutting edge of DNA technology and has helped close hundreds of cold cases using genetic genealogy. In the case of serial killer Kenneth Smith, the science led to his family tree.''