Alta. RCMP reviewing 45-year-old cold case: The murder of Marie Goudreau
As the 45th anniversary of her death nears, police are again asking the public's help in solving the 1976 murder of Marie Judy Goudreau.
The 17-year-old's body was found on Aug. 4, 1976, in a ditch off Highway 60 north of Devon.
"She was taken so suddenly and in such a violent manner," sister Monique Goudreau said in a video statement shared by Mounties.
"Sadly, 45 years have gone by. Our parents have since passed and her murder remains an unsolved cold case. Marie's death is a continuing heartache and she is still very much missed by her seven siblings."
It is believed on Aug. 2 Marie dropped a friend off at the former Edmonton Industrial Airport around 9:15 p.m., then visited two other friends at their apartment in the city. Around 10:30 p.m., she left because she had to work the next morning at the Woodward Café in the Southgate Shopping Centre. She lived on the family farm near Beaumont, south of Edmonton and east of Devon.
Marie never made it home.
Her running, abandoned vehicle was reported just after midnight Aug. 3 on Range Road 244, three miles south of Township Road 510. Money and her belongings were found at the scene.
Marie Goudreau, 17, was found dead on Aug. 4, 1976. Her blue Plymouth Cricket was found abandoned and still running on Range Road 244, three miles south of Township Road 510. Money and her belongings were found at the scene. (Photos provided by RCMP.)
Investigators at the time found no evidence she had walked into surrounding fields, and concluded she was stopped on the road and lured out.
"The items that were there really indicate to us that this wasn't a robbery," Staff Sgt. Jason Zazulak with Alberta RCMP's serious crimes branch told CTV News Edmonton.
"There was nothing disturbed. So it appears that Marie left her vehicle somewhat voluntarily, but we don't know that for sure and we don't want to limit ourselves in what we may look at for evidence by trying to make those assumptions."
Despite her body being found a day later, Marie's brown slacks and navy blue socks were never recovered, police say.
Marie Goudreau, 17, was found dead on Aug. 4, 1976. Her blue Plymouth Cricket was found abandoned and still running on Range Road 244, three miles south of Township Road 510. Money and her belongings were found at the scene. (Photos provided by RCMP.)
What happened that night has been the question at the centre of an investigation spanning decades, more than 600 leads, and several file reviews. In 2005, Marie's case was examined alongside that of other victims whose bodies were found in a similar manner.
Now in 2021, Alberta RMCP's historical homicide unit is working on it again, with better DNA technology than ever before.
"In this case, there were DNA exhibits that were identified and have been tested over the years that haven't matched to anyone, or there was insufficient genetic material to develop a DNA profile," Zazulak said.
Investigators were also never able to identify fingerprints found in the car.
"Please help the police solve this grave injustice and help us bring closure to her family. Someone must know something," Marie's sister pleaded.
"Our 17-year-old sister was a very bright, loveable and vibrant teenager who had just graduated from high school in 1976. She had secured a summer job and looked forward to a career in law enforcement. But her dreams and potential were stolen from her."
Alberta RCMP have about 250 unsolved homicides in their jurisdiction. Zazulak said investigators reopen the cold cases which offer "some reasonable prospect we can move them forward."
"Maybe something you feel is trivial that you just didn't pass along. We're also looking for – over the passage of time – the person who is responsible may have spoken about this to friends or family members and now may be the time for them to reveal that information to the police."
What Mounties are not looking for: unfounded speculation.
"Not a lot of those tips, honestly, are very useful in that with the popularity of true crime podcasts, those sorts of things, where people will look at what's been released in the media and come up with their own theories," Zazulak said.
"We're able to discount those. Unfortunately it takes investigator time and effort that could be spent on actual evidence. So when we put these out to the public, we're looking for people who have actual information."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Leduc RCMP at 780-980-7200 or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.