Belleville Police Service Acknowledges Resolution of 2000 Sexual Assault Case

Pete Fisher
13 hours ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

The Belleville Police Service is issuing a final update regarding a violent sexual assault that occurred in July 2000 at a local hotel. The case, which remained unsolved for over two decades, has now been resolved following a guilty plea and a significant sentence, delivering long-awaited justice to the victim and the community.

While no new developments have occurred since the judicial outcome, the Belleville Police Service wishes to formally recognize the many individuals and partner organizations whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in solving this case.

The successful resolution of this complex investigation was made possible through the tireless efforts of Belleville Police Service detectives, forensic officers, and numerous sworn and civilian members — spanning both retired and currently serving personnel. Their unwavering commitment, combined with the transformative power of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), played a pivotal role in identifying the offender. IGG is an advanced technique that merges DNA analysis with genealogical research, offering new avenues for solving cases when traditional methods have been exhausted.

“This case demonstrates how important it is to combine new investigative methods with teamwork and dedication,” said Chief Murray Rodd. “We remain deeply grateful to our partners and proud of the ongoing commitment of our members, who have consistently kept the victim and the community at the forefront of their work.”

The Belleville Police Service remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing justice, no matter how much time has passed.

 

 

 

Key Partners in the investigation

Seasons of Justice
A nonprofit organization that provided critical funding for the IGG work, enabling the case to move forward when other options had been exhausted. This case marked a historic milestone for Season of Justice – it was the first time the organization funded an investigation outside the continental United States. The decision to support an international effort was both courageous and consequential, ultimately helping deliver justice in a case that had remained unsolved for over two decades.

Website: www.seasonofjustice.org

“Season of Justice is deeply honored to have supported the great work of the Belleville Police Service and Othram in bringing this case to resolution,” said Angela Mew, Executive Director of Seasons of Justice. “This milestone, our first international investigation, underscores the universal importance of ensuring that every victim, no matter where they are, has the chance at justice. We want to recognize the victim and their loved ones, whose strength reminds us why this work matters, and we remain committed to continuing our mission to bring justice to more unsolved cases.”

Othram Inc.
A recognized leader in forensic DNA analysis and Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), Othram Inc. played a central role in resolving this case. The advanced technology enabled the extraction and interpretation of genetic data, but the organization’s contribution went far beyond the lab. Othram’s genealogists worked closely with Belleville Police Service investigators, helping to build out family trees, identify potential suspects, and coordinate investigative leads. This collaborative approach was instrumental in identifying the offender and bringing the case to a successful conclusion.

Website: www.dnasolves.com

“It’s amazing to be able to help someone who might have lost hope finally get some long-awaited answers. When you see a case like this, where the community can go forward with certainty about what happened, it is empowering to have a resolution,” said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer for Othram. “We’re proud to work with law enforcement who are working every day to solve cases and help families.”

Media inquiries related to Investigative Genetic Genealogy may be directed to Othram, who are best positioned to speak on the subject. Othram’s Director of Communications, Brian Rogers, can be reached at brianr@othram.com.