I was horrified when I came across this story by accident. I live and work on the west coast. The west coast of both the U.S. and Canada is full of unsolved similar crimes to the Topic murder. I was researching crime for my current writing project (re: work-research for books, scripts, film, & documentaries) and I do not know how or why but the story of Ljubica Topic came up. As I began to read and research this crime I fell into the investigation very deeply. For the last 2 weeks, I have allowed my other work to be temporarily set aside in order to find out every detail that I could in order to release the name of this pedophile-murderer and most likely serial killer. I am sure that many of "Web Sleuth" readers and participants know that through investigative research work many "connections" are made with investigative journalists, retired detectives, and other research workers that both owe and share favors amongst one another. The information below is what I have found out so far from both research and "favors" and wish to share it with Web Sleuth as I am a proud member. I intend to aggressively work this investigation on my own time and eventually be able to release the name of this psychopath. ***** As per the original outline the murder happened in 1971, in a town called Windsor, in the province of Ontario in Canada. At this time the Topic family were recent immigrants from Yugoslavia. Mr. Topic (Luka) was working in the auto industry plant, Mrs. Topic (Paula) was a housewife, and little Ljubica (6 years old) had an 8 year old brother Svetko (Michael) Topic. They lived in a poor blue-collar end of town on **Drouillard Street, which was near the auto plant. One must remember that this family was new to Canada and as with most European immigrants they remain as "quiet" and as trouble-free as possible. They were humble and hard-working people with the dream of their 2 children growing up successfully in Canada. Also at this time, the evil perpetrator was a 22-year-old single male living in the same area of the Topic family. **I found out that he was living on **Hickory Ave, extremely close to the Topics. (Note: this address is a pivotal factor which indicates a possibly botched police investigation from the beginning. *** Crime Information*** When I was able to acquire information regarding the brutality of this murder, I was sickened!! Ljubica was abducted (led away) at about 8:30 p.m. The perp gave her brother a dime to ride away in the other direction. The innocent little girl (6 years old) went with this perp easily, as he had told them (Ljubica & Svetko) he would pay Ljubica $8.00 to do a little work for him. According to police files, Ljubica was severely beaten into an unrecognizable dead body. Her face was smashed repeatedly with an object, all of her teeth were smashed, and her right leg was broken (shattered). She had been raped and killed. Her body was dumped at a fence gate to the alley between Hickory Ave. and Drouillard Rd. (apparently this alley no longer exists?) The body was found at about 1:00 a.m. by a police officer investigating Ljubica's disappearance and checking the IMMEDIATE surrounding area. At this point what I do not understand is that is was summertime, windows in the neighborhood would have been open, and nobody heard anything! The only hope is that the first hit to the head killed Ljubica so she did not suffer. (only a hope - who really knows). Considering that the body dump was so close to the Topic residence, I find it hard to believe that the police investigated this thoroughly at all! ***Police Investigation Information*** At that time 1971, the police were not looking for DNA as it is done today. However, it is astonishing that what they DID find was kept in remarkable condition in order to run the DNA 48 years later. The specimens they received were blood, skin, semen, and the perp's incisor tooth which was broken off at the gumline. The DNA was found both IN and ON the victim. (assume blood and skin ON the victim and semen IN the victim). Due to the DNA and the LOCATION of the DNA police were able to definitely determine WHO the perp was that killed this innocent little girl. One fact that is "assumed" by journalists and investigators is that the perp's incisor tooth was broken when he was repeatedly hitting the little girl with an object and in his fury, this object may have broke and hit him in the mouth. Another theory with investigators is that he bit the girl so hard and his tooth broke. Also note, in the early 70 s many people did not look after their teeth properly, resulting in weak or frail teeth in adults. ** An important MISTAKE made by the police was not reporting they found a broken incisor tooth of the perp. This was NOT information that only the perp would know. There was NO reason to hold back that information from the public. What a crucial error! This information may have helped apprehend this pervert 48 years ago! Someone who worked or socialized with him would have noticed the man missing his INCISOR tooth and reported this to the police. NOTE: it was not long after this murder the perp moved to the western provinces of Canada. I would imagine that his family members knowing what happened would have encouraged him to leave town quietly and as soon as he could in order to avoid detection. I have researched a few angles and found that he was possibly living at different times in Saskatchewan and Alberta. (a very strong possibility not YET 100% confirmed) & ( have not YET discovered enough to include B.C.-still working on it) Another interesting piece of information that comes into play, his immediate family was living on Hickory and I would assume that he was living with his parents at that time. ***Case Goes Cold** It seems to me that so many errors by the police caused this murder to go cold, and now they further insult the situation by NOT releasing the perp's name. Fortunately, they still had the specimens and were able to create a DNA profile in order to compare it to someone, somewhere in the future. There was a 10,000 reward for information and it was doubled just before the police made the announcement that they had "solved" this 48-year-old case and had the perp's name but would not release it. NOTE: In order for the police to "CLOSE" a murder file they must have complete certainty of the guilt of the subject perp. ***Research About The Perp*** The Case Is Closed as the police confirmed that the DNA matched and the LOCATION of the DNA guaranteed this evil man was the pedophile and murderer of Ljubica Topic. Apparently the DNA obtained to compare to the crime DNA was provided by a relative of the perp at this murderer's time of death. Further research leads to this "relative" of the perp as living in Windsor ON for a very long time. Another factor encouraging the person to come forward with their knowledge about the story and their DNA for comparison was the $20,000 reward. Note: The "reward" would be well known by a local person rather than one living far away. What is $20,000. by today's standards? How could this "relative" have waited 48 years to tell the truth for a lousy 20" pieces of silver"? What a shame to leave the Topic family in such misery for 48 years and additional shame of the police now not informing the public of the name of this evil psychopath. It seems the police are "protecting" the relative by not releasing this perp's name as the "relative" lives in Windsor. I look at the facts about this barbaric situation. The perp died recently, (November) and he was 70-71 years old. His parents are probably dead and the last few remaining blood relatives would not be "socially shattered" from his identification being released. On the contrary, if the relative would have played their cards right, the relative that came forward might have been "applauded" for not taking this disgusting truth to their grave. When reviewing this case one must remember that a pedophile is a pedophile. They NEVER change, rehabilitate, nor do the urges cease. This definitely indicates that he DID NOT stop in Windsor. When reading the murder details, this crime doe NOT appear to be his FIRST. He seemed well versed on how to lure and abduct the victim. He also seemed to know how to get "rid" of the older brother. I am convinced that little Ljubica Topic was NOT his FIRST victim, nor was she his last. I am convinced that his pedophile and murder activities continued when he moved to western Canada. Another important issue is the brutality of his crime. This fact shows extreme rage and a strong indication of him being a serial killer. It is so sad that Canada is so "weak" when it comes to punishing crime. Their law seems to protect the criminal and their relatives and toss the victims to the side. *****Name Of Perp Searches*** Although the search will take some time, it is important to look at every avenue possible in order to confirm and release this evil man's name. There are 2 strong possibilities linked to the "relative." (a)Some people feel the family could be affluential in Windsor and therefore the police do not want to "ruffle their feathers". (b)The other belief is that the "relative" is poor, possibly a retired blue-collar worker that wanted the financial reward and to ease their "conscience" by coming forward about this horrific 48-year-old murder. I believe it is scenario "b" which is the most likely accurate information. It is a requirement by the government to post all death notifications. I began my research with the perp dying in Windsor. I looked at the possibility that he became ill and "went home to die". I am researching all deaths from mid-October to the first week of December 2019. (to ensure no mistake on the date of death). I have also started the same research in 3 western provinces. It is a lot of work, but the common factors as gender, age and time table of relocation being put into the system, should produce accurate leads. Another important legal fact is that the "dead" do not have reasonable privacy. That is a legal fact, especially in the case where the guilt is confirmed via science. Many of the readers might be asking themselves "why is she doing this with her own time and money?" Because "right is right, and wrong is wrong". Sometimes doing something "right" is not easy or convenient, but it is a necessary step on our journey through life. I intend to find the name of this perp and post it on as many multi media avenues as I can. ***** The Topic Family*** I feel these people have been through enough. I am convinced that when the police approached the remaining members of the Topic family to reveal who they found and the certainty of his guilt, they "strongly advised them" not to reveal the name they had given them in order to keep it confidential. (Probably a silly "brouhaha" about the legality of the release of the perp's name.) The police confirmed that Mrs. Paula Topic did not know the name or the existence of the evil man and his relatives at the time of Ljubica's murder. According to one "journalist" source, the police have pulled any information via internet regarding the Topic family such as publicly listed phone numbers, addresses, and even obituaries. However, the information that is already known such as Mrs. Paula Topic's residence on Howard Ave., still provides an avenue for an author, lawyer, or a concerned person to approach her with some ideas for a few options in their healing process. Mrs. Paula Topic is 80 years old and deserves the right to heal and at least feel some sort of justification in regard to her daughter's murder. Mr. Luka Topic has since been deceased. The brother Svetko (Micahel) Topic, born in 1963, is 56 years old and deserves the truth to be posted so he does not have to carry this baggage alone. One can only imagine the pain, guilt and hurt that man has carried for over 48 years. What about his healing process? It certainly seems that the police have not even remotely considered the emotions and healings of the Topic family. This has to be the most horrific result of this "mickey-mouse" investigation, which is filled with "alligator" tears. If they had any compassion they would release the name of the murderer. One positive fact is that after the name is confirmed via research, there are many legal ways to post that information for the world to see. Whoever is the first person to acquire his identification can rest assured that they will be applauded by the general public that cries out for justice. The many sources for information to come to the surface are at work in every "confidential" case. There are bank records regarding this "reward money", there is "word of mouth out there", gossip, everything regarding the truth at some point leaks out, and there is also time. Once people are more comfortable knowing this information it does come out, one way or another. One must remember that money solves a lot of issues. With the right financial temptation, much necessary knowledge is acquired. Another interesting thought that I truly feel would assist in the healing process for this family: The Topic family should find an aggressive, eccentric, good lawyer licensed in the province of Ontario to research the possibility of suing the police department for the possibility of unprofessional handling of this case since 1971, not to mention the uncaring attitude towards not releasing the murderer's name to the public. If the lawyer does not find an avenue to sue, then at least make a public outcry regarding this mess via news, social media, tv talk shows, etc. to inform the public about this debacle. Another interesting approach in order to seek justice is the Topic family should seek an author that is willing to take this story on and create a book and/or possibly a movie. At least the Topic family knows the name of the murderer. I truly hope this brings them some sort of relief.
