The RCMP Historical Homicide Unit (HHU) and Calgary Police Service (CPS) Cold Case Homicide Unit have laid charges in a 1976 homicide case that went unsolved for 47 years.
RCMP Superintendent, David Hall, provided an investigational update regarding the 47-year-old homicide.
“As a result of a partnership between the RCMP (HHU) and the CPS Cold Case Homicide Unit, charges have been laid in a 1976 homicide,” Hall said.
Sixteen-year-old Pauline Brazeau was a Métis, single mother from Saskatchewan who relocated to Calgary and was the victim of a murder that took place on January 9, 1976.
She was last seen leaving Peppe’s Ristorante in the area of 7th Street and 17th Avenue in Calgary, at around 3 a.m.
A few hours later, her body would be found in a rural area, in Cochrane RCMP jurisdiction.
“An autopsy determined that her cause of death was a homicide, and the RCMP began a homicide investigation,” Hall said.
Brazeau was one of several murders that took place in the Calgary area at the time. By 1995, the RCMP formed a task force that aimed to re-investigate the unsolved murders that took place.
“Despite extensive investigative efforts, Pauline’s murder remained unsolved, but the police never gave up hope,” Hall said. “In 2021, the Alberta RCMP HHU partnered with the Calgary Police Cold Case Homicide Unit, in an effort to re-analyze historical homicide investigations from the Calgary area, that date from the 1970’s.”
With advancements in DNA technologies, authorities are now able to use Investigative Genetic Genealogy to help identify new leads. This was the second investigation that the RCMP have successfully employed this technology to resolve a historical file.
In 2022, the HHU partnered with Othram Inc., a private lab in the United States, and the CPS later worked with two dedicated genealogists from Convergence Investigative Genetic Genealogy, in an effort to move the case forward.
“By 2023, this work had led to the identification of a suspect,” Hall said. “HHU investigators continued investigation in order to corroborate the results of the analysis.
“On Nov. 7, 2023, police arrested 73-year-old Ronald James Edwards, a resident of Sundre, Alta., in relation to this investigation.”
Edwards has been charged with murder as it was defined in the Criminal Code in 1976. Canadian law at the time dictated that murder fall under two categories – capital and non-capital murder.
Edwards was charged with non-capital murder, as it appeared in the 1976 Criminal Code.
Hall added that the RCMP would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the CPS for their assistance and support throughout this investigation, and that this investigation is one of many examples of the ongoing partnerships between Alberta’s law enforcement agencies that is necessary to tackle complex multi-jurisdictional files.
Hall outlined that investigators have contacted Brazeau’s family, and updated them on these developments, and asks on behalf of the family, to please have their privacy respected.
Inspector Brianne Brown, Officer in Charge of Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch, said the HHU is dedicated to speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
“The search for Pauline’s killer has never ended over the past 47 years. Throughout the years we have always been hopeful that the person responsible would be held accountable,” Brown said. “I am extremely grateful for all investigators who have worked on this investigation throughout the years and the partnership and support from the Calgary Police Service. I truly hope that Pauline’s surviving family find some closure as they receive answers.”
Superintendent Ryan Ayliffe of the Calgary Police Service, said that this investigation has been at the forefront of CPS investigators’ minds, adding that they have worked diligently with the RCMP to ensure that her case remained a priority.
“We are grateful that our organizations were able to work together to bring closure to this case and to Pauline’s family,” Ayliffe said. “If I were to leave you with one assurance, it would be that our investigators will not give up on our Calgary victims, no matter where they are found.”
After his Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Edwards was remanded into custody and will be appearing in the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary on Now 14, 2023.