Only about 1 in 3 homicides in Canada stays unsolved for years. But, the case of Catherine Daviau is a rare exception. It was solved after 17 years, thanks to genetic genealogy in Canada.
Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont of the SPVM revealed the news at a press conference in Montréal. They found Jacques Bolduc as the killer of Catherine Daviau. He passed away in 2021, but DNA science caught up with him in August 2025.
This breakthrough is more than just solving a case. It brings closure to Catherine Daviau’s family. It also sets a new standard for solving tough cases. For those searching for updates on Catherine Daviau, this shows the power of DNA and patience in solving crimes.
Breaking development: Montreal police close a 2008 cold case with genetic genealogy
Police in Montreal have solved a 2008 cold case using genetic genealogy. The team said this closes a big chapter for Catherine Daviau’s family. It also marks a new era in forensic science in Quebec, thanks to LSJML experts.
News conference highlights and agencies involved
On Sept. 17, 2025, Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont and Cmdr. François Sauvé shared the breakthrough in Catherine Daviau’s murder. LSJML’s director general, Suzanne Marchand, explained the science behind it.
CBC/Radio-Canada, Global News, and The Canadian Press covered the event. They highlighted the teamwork between police and labs. This teamwork led to a breakthrough in the case.
Key confirmation from Quebec’s forensic lab
LSJML built a DNA profile in 2008 but couldn’t match it. In 2021, they started using genealogy to find relatives. This helped narrow down the search.
By August 2025, LSJML found a match to Jacques Bolduc. This was a major step in solving the case. It showed how DNA can now connect people in new ways.
Why the suspect will not face justice
Jacques Bolduc died in 2021 while in prison. He was serving time for serious crimes. A DNA sample was not taken due to COVID delays, and he was cremated later.
With Bolduc dead, there will be no trial. This case is now a milestone in forensic science, even without a trial.
| Aspect | Details | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Lead agency | SPVM major crimes | Coordinated investigation and public updates on Catherine Daviau |
| Forensic partner | LSJML | Built the 2008 DNA profile and delivered the genetic genealogy breakthrough |
| Media verification | CBC/Radio-Canada, Global News, The Canadian Press | Confirmed multi-agency collaboration and key milestones in catherine daviau news |
| Scientific turning point | August 2025 match via genealogical family-tree methods | Enabled the Montreal cold case solved notice naming Jacques Bolduc |
| Judicial outcome | No prosecution due to suspect’s death in 2021 | Explains why the case closes without trial despite forensic confirmation |
The case timeline from 2008 to 2025
Dec. 11, 2008: Firefighters found Catherine Daviau in her 5th Avenue apartment in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. Police found locked doors, signs of violence, and suspected sexual assault. Despite an attempt to burn the scene, male DNA was recovered. This marked the start of the Catherine Daviau timeline for the Montreal homicide 2008.
2008: The Laboratoire des sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale (LSJML) created a male DNA profile. No match was found in the national database. The cold case timeline then went into a long stand-still.
2018: The SPVM renewed appeals to the public and confirmed the arson attempt. Media carried catherine daviau updates as investigators said DNA traces had endured.
2020: Jacques Bolduc was convicted for two 2017 attempted murders and armed robberies. He was declared a dangerous offender. A court-ordered DNA sample faced delays due to COVID-19 protocols.
2021: Bolduc died of natural causes at Archambault Institution. His cremation ended the chance for a direct post-mortem sample. The cold case timeline then turned to indirect methods.
2021 onward: LSJML started using genetic genealogy searches in eligible databases. This was a major step in Quebec forensic breakthroughs. It opened new paths in the Catherine Daviau timeline.
Late 2024: Investigators mapped relatives through distant matches and family trees. This produced focused catherine daviau updates. They narrowed the field to Bolduc.
August 2025: LSJML confirmed the link through genealogical inference and supporting evidence. This was a major milestone in Quebec forensic breakthroughs.
Sept. 17, 2025: The SPVM announced the file was solved and closed. This brought the Montreal homicide 2008 narrative to a formal end within the documented cold case timeline.
Catherine Daviau
They remember Catherine Daviau as a bright young Montrealer with a wide-open future. This section tells her story with care, focusing on real details. It respects those who kept her memory alive.
The profile that follows reflects what we know and honours her privacy.
catherine daviau biography and background
Catherine Daviau was 26 when she was killed on Dec. 11, 2008. She lived in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. Before her death, she tried to sell a vehicle online.
This action later became key for investigators. It shaped the catherine daviau background as reported by police and media.
Public records give us a timeline but few personal details. Her biography is based on verified facts: her age, neighbourhood, and the events tied to the sale.
catherine daviau profile: career, accomplishments, and achievements
Most coverage has focused on the case, not her work life. There’s no formal catherine daviau profile or job title listed. Specific roles are not documented.
What stands out is her youth and promise. These aspects speak to her achievements in the making, not in résumés.
Her path is measured by the opportunities she never had. It’s a sober way to view her success, not as awards, but as the life she was building in Montreal.
Remembering her life, community ties, and personal success
Family, friends, and neighbours remember her with quiet acts of care. Their efforts kept the case visible and shaped public understanding of her loss. These ties now form part of the living catherine daviau background.
Community reminders of catherine daviau achievements appear in vigils, updates, and support. In this shared space, her success is about honouring her life and remembering who she was and what she meant to Montreal.
Inside the investigation: what happened in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
The Montreal crime scene in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie shocked the city. The Catherine Daviau investigation focused on a few key events. It involved careful evidence handling and steady follow-up.
Details from the 5th Avenue apartment matched the known facts. They also aligned with the catherine daviau bio given by authorities and her family.
Discovery at the 5th Avenue apartment on Dec. 11, 2008
Firefighters found Catherine Daviau in her bed after smoke was reported. The scene showed signs of violence and sexual assault. The SPVM carefully documented every surface for testing.
This fire call became the heart of the Catherine Daviau investigation. Teams preserved items, logged timelines, and noted conditions. These details were key for the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie homicide file.
Indicators of a targeted attack and lack of forced entry
No broken locks or windows were found, and doors were secure. This suggested the visitor was known or allowed in. The crime scene showed an ordered space, with disruption mainly in the bedroom.
Witness canvasses and building checks added to the catherine daviau bio. They included her routines and recent contacts. These interviews gave leads tied to the 5th Avenue apartment and its entry points.
Fire set to destroy evidence and preserved DNA traces
The fire seemed to aim to erase evidence. Yet, technicians found male DNA that would guide future tests. Samples were stored for future methods.
Over years, the SPVM followed hundreds of tips and re-analysed swabs. Their work kept the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie homicide alive. It connected the Montreal crime scene to breakthroughs from the 5th Avenue apartment evidence and the catherine daviau bio context.
How genetic genealogy cracked the case
Years of quiet leads turned into a breakthrough with genetic genealogy tools in Quebec. They matched the LSJML DNA profile with family tree analysis. This work, along with media coverage, kept the public engaged.
From an unusable database match to a family tree lead
In 2008, LSJML DNA work found a male profile but no match in the national database. Traditional methods hit a dead end. But in 2021, new tools in genetic genealogy Quebec opened up new paths.
Analysts used these tools to find distant matches. They turned these into steps for family tree analysis. This allowed them to test against records.
Cross-referencing distant relatives to identify a suspect
Genealogists compared matches from 23andMe and Ancestry. They mapped these to shared ancestors. This narrowed down the list of suspects linked to the DNA.
By late 2024, they pointed to Jacques Bolduc. This led to targeted checks to confirm his involvement.
Why this technique is a ‘revolution’ in Quebec forensics
LSJML leaders Suzanne Marchand and DNA biology executive director Diane Séguin called it a revolution. It’s like the first DNA testing in the 1990s. By August 2025, DNA confirmed Bolduc’s link to the case.
This shows how genetic genealogy in Quebec is changing forensic work. It’s helping solve cases that were stuck, as seen in catherine daviau career (news) coverage.
The suspect identified as Jacques Bolduc
Montreal police have named Jacques Bolduc as the suspect in Catherine Daviau’s murder. He contacted her after seeing her car for sale online, as reported in catherine daviau news. Sadly, he died of natural causes at the Archambault Institution, ending any chance of a trial.
Bolduc was known for his violent past, having been declared a dangerous offender. His DNA sample was delayed by the pandemic, and he was cremated before it could be collected. Genetic genealogy helped police find him, confirming the name they had already considered.
| Key Fact | Detail | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Jacques Bolduc | Central figure named as the Montreal cold case suspect |
| Institution | Archambault Institution, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines | Location of death, limits direct judicial process |
| Risk Status | Dangerous offender designation | Indicates indefinite sentence for violent crimes |
| Victim Link | Contact after an online car ad | Explains how he reached Catherine Daviau |
| Forensic Lead | Genetic genealogy match to family line | Directed investigators toward Bolduc’s identity |
| Context Source | Verified in catherine daviau news reporting | Supports public understanding of the case details |
Forensic science in Quebec: role of the Laboratoire des sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale
In Quebec, the LSJML is key for complex DNA work. In the Montreal case tied to the catherine daviau background, the lab used careful methods. They balanced preservation with modern analytics, aiming for reliable results.
Building the male DNA profile in 2008
At the LSJML, experts created a strong DNA profile 2008 from damaged evidence. No match was found in the National DNA Data Bank of Canada. The lab followed strict protocols to ensure the evidence was valid.
This profile was a starting point for future comparisons. It helped as technology and databases grew.
Searches expanded to genealogical databases from 2021 onward
With genetic genealogy 2021, searches broadened to include Ancestry and 23andMe. The team built family trees using partial matches. They narrowed down possibilities.
They measured shared DNA, checked relatives, and verified information. The LSJML worked with investigators to test each lead.
Scientific confirmation and the August 2025 breakthrough
By mid‑2025, the LSJML found a strong link. Suzanne Marchand and Diane Séguin explained how updates in software and data helped. They confirmed the link through rigorous testing.
This phase used distant relatives and statistical methods. The lab showed the result was a result of careful work, not a single breakthrough.
| Phase | Core Task | Data Sources | Quality Controls | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Recovery (2008) | Extract and stabilise male profile | Crime scene swabs, preserved traces | Chain-of-custody logs, reagent blanks | Established the DNA profile 2008 |
| Database Screening (2008–2020) | Compare against national indices | National DNA Data Bank of Canada | Match thresholds, duplicate checks | No direct match; profile retained for future use |
| Genealogy Expansion (from 2021) | Build family trees from partial matches | Court‑authorised files, Ancestry, 23andMe | Centimorgan analysis, triangulation | Shortlist consistent with genetic genealogy 2021 |
| Kinship Modelling (2024–2025) | Infer relationships and test hypotheses | Distant relatives, demographic context | Likelihood ratios, replication runs | Evidence aligned toward forensic confirmation 2025 |
| Reporting and Review (Aug. 2025) | Validate and communicate findings | LSJML reports, peer review, audit trails | Independent oversight, policy compliance | Confirmed link under the LSJML protocols, noting the catherine daviau background |
Link between victim and suspect
Detectives found a clear link between the victim and suspect before the murder. They looked at calls, messages, and interviews related to catherine daviau profile. They discovered a key point of contact that stood out.
This insight helped them understand how the suspect might have entered the apartment. It also helped in preserving Montreal homicide evidence.
Contact via an online classified ad to sell a car
Jacques Bolduc contacted Catherine Daviau after seeing a car for sale online. This was just days before her death. There was no family connection, and the contact was only about the car.
This brief contact matched the details about the locked doors and tidy entry. It showed a meeting arranged in a normal way, fitting Catherine Daviau’s profile as a careful seller. This was the only known connection between them.
What investigators learned about the days leading up to the crime
The apartment showed no signs of forced entry, suggesting a visitor was allowed in. This matched the recent car sales discussion. It helped clarify the victim-suspect connection.
Notes from the scene and DNA evidence supported this timeline. It showed a practical meeting about the car, not a long-term relationship. This narrow sequence, tied to the online classifieds link, explained how access was gained.
| Element | Details Linked to the Case | Relevance to Access | Associated Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Contact | Vehicle inquiry via online classifieds link | Introduced Bolduc to Catherine Daviau | Call and message records |
| Relationship | No family or known social ties | Narrow, transactional connection | Interview confirmations |
| Apartment Entry | No signs of forced entry or damaged locks | Access likely granted at the door | Scene observations and photos |
| Pre-Crime Timeline | Short series of calls and messages | Coordinated meeting about the car | Time-stamped records |
| Physical Traces | Preserved DNA despite fire damage | Supports contact within the residence | Montreal homicide evidence |
Why the case remained cold and what changed
For years, Montreal investigations hit a wall. A DNA profile from 2008 had no match in the national database. There was no suspect to test.
Despite hundreds of tips, detectives faced a major hurdle. They had a DNA profile but no one to link it to.
In 2020, a chance to match the DNA was missed due to the pandemic. When Jacques Bolduc died in 2021, cremation ended any chance to test his DNA post-mortem. This setback made detectives review their work again.
But then, Quebec started using genetic genealogy at the LSJML. Analysts found distant relatives of the DNA at the crime scene. They built family trees to narrow down the search.
As they got closer to Bolduc, the SPVM checked his movements and records. This new approach was a game-changer.
This breakthrough was more than just solving a case. It showed how police work and new technology can come together. Catherine Daviau’s career updates brought attention to the case. This led to a fresh look at old evidence, breaking the case wide open.
Key factors: cold case challenges, no database match, pandemic delays, and the rise of genetic genealogy adoption within Montreal investigations.
Context within Canadian cold cases and DNA advances
In Canada, detectives are changing how they tackle unsolved murders. New DNA techniques are helping them look at old DNA in new ways. This means families of victims can see progress in cases that seemed cold forever.
Comparisons to earlier cold case resolutions using DNA
The 1975 Sharron Prior case in Quebec was a turning point. It showed how DNA can find a suspect years after a crime. This case paved the way for today’s DNA breakthroughs, including the work on Catherine Daviau’s case.
These advances also help remember Catherine Daviau’s contributions. Every DNA match adds to a story of determination. It shows how careful work can move cases forward.
Public databases, privacy considerations, and legal frameworks
Genealogical searches mix court-ordered DNA with data from services like 23andMe. This raises big questions about privacy and DNA. It’s about consent and how laws control access to personal data.
In Quebec, experts focus on using DNA in a controlled way. They work with judges to protect privacy while solving crimes. This approach aims to balance rights with safety.
Impact on future investigations across Canada
Quebec’s forensic lab calls this a revolution, like the 1990s DNA testing. Better data and teamwork mean police can find matches faster. This opens doors to solving cases that seemed impossible.
The Sharron Prior case teaches lessons for the whole country. As genetic genealogy grows, police expect to solve more cases. But, the conversation on privacy and DNA laws is ongoing.
| Dimension | Earlier DNA Era (1990s–2010s) | Genetic Genealogy Era (2020s) | Implications for Canadian cold cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Evidence | Direct crime scene DNA, CODIS-style matches | Distant-relative matches, family trees, inferential links | New suspect leads without new physical evidence |
| Key Quebec Example | Conventional profile comparisons | Sharron Prior case resolved via family-tree analysis | Model for revisiting historic files |
| Data Sources | Law-enforcement databases | Public genealogy uploads, court-ordered reference samples | Broader search net with oversight |
| Rights and Oversight | Established warrant practices | Focus on privacy and DNA, evolving legal frameworks | Stronger consent and audit trails |
| Operational Needs | Local lab capacity | Cross-agency collaboration and data preservation | Faster, coordinated case reviews nationwide |
Community response and the path to closure
Neighbours, advocates, and city officials talked about the impact of the case’s resolution on Montreal’s safety. They said it honours Catherine Daviau’s legacy and brings closure to the community. The work of SPVM major crimes showed the power of patience in dealing with violence.
Statements from major crimes leadership
Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont explained how teams kept looking at new leads. She said they never gave up, even when progress was slow. Her words highlighted the dedication of SPVM major crimes to Montreal’s safety.
Support for the victim’s family and the broader community
Police and local services talked about how they support victims. They offer information lines and counselling referrals. Family members will get updates, showing respect for their trauma.
Many also remembered Catherine Daviau’s positive impact. They talked about her volunteer work and friendships that continue to inspire.
How sustained tips and renewed appeals helped
SPVM made new appeals in 2018, asking for any details. These efforts kept the case in the public eye. People who contacted them often mentioned their commitment to Montreal’s safety.
Conclusion
The SPVM’s work on Catherine Daviau’s case shows patience and science working together. They kept a DNA profile from 2008 and used family-tree leads in 2021. This led to naming Jacques Bolduc in August 2025.
Even though Bolduc died in 2021, the case brings closure to loved ones. It sets a standard for Canada’s investigations.
This success highlights Quebec’s forensic innovation. The Laboratoire des sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale played a key role. Their work, combined with detective efforts, identified Bolduc.
This achievement suggests a future where genetic tools help solve cases. But, it must be done with clear rules.
The case of Catherine Daviau teaches us about evidence care and privacy. It shows how public help can lead to justice. The catherine daviau website (news) covers this shift in Canada’s cold case approach.
This story shows how evidence can lead to truth. It teaches us to keep evidence and try new methods. This is how Quebec’s forensic innovation can help families find peace.