Nearly 800 homicides in Montreal are unsolved. But one case, the Case of Catherine Daviau, was solved after almost 17 years. In September 2025, Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont said genetic genealogy found the killer. The man, Jacques Bolduc, had died in 2021 while in prison.
Catherine Daviau, 26, was found dead on December 11, 2008, in her apartment. There were no signs of forced entry, and the doors were locked. This detail suggested she might have known her attacker. Police later said she did not.
Evidence showed a different story. An attempted arson failed to destroy DNA found in the home. The victim had been tied up, sexually assaulted, and stabbed. This DNA, preserved despite the fire, was key to solving the case years later.
The break came in August 2025. Quebec’s forensic lab confirmed the DNA matched Jacques Bolduc. They found a link between Daviau and Bolduc through an online car listing. By then, Bolduc was already dead, but his name is now linked to the case.
This Section 1 sets the stage for solving a Montreal cold case. A quiet apartment, a locked door, and a resilient DNA sample were key. This case shows how science and persistence can solve crimes, even years later. The jacques bolduc story now frames the Case of Catherine Daviau for a new era of accountability.
Cold case overview of the Catherine Daviau investigation in Montreal
The case is a mix of science and patience. It happened in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and caught the Montreal police’s attention. The community also watched closely. The timeline shows how careful work kept the case alive until 2025.
Timeline of events from December 2008 to the 2025 announcement
On 11 December 2008, firefighters found Catherine Daviau dead in her bed. The place was in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. The cause was sexual assault and homicide, with an arson attempt.
By late 2008, Quebec’s forensic lab made a DNA profile. It didn’t match any national databases. In 2018, the police asked for help again, saying DNA was found despite the fire.
Genetic genealogy searches started in 2021. By late 2024, a suspect was found through genealogy. In August 2025, DNA confirmed the suspect, and a news conference announced the case’s closure.
| Year | Milestone | Investigative Focus | Relevance to Canadian crime investigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Discovery on 5th Avenue; DNA profile created | Scene preservation; early forensic typing | Established baseline for future database comparisons |
| 2018 | Public appeal renewed by Montreal police | Highlight of attempted arson and intact DNA | Re-engaged public leads while retaining evidentiary value |
| 2021 | Start of genetic genealogy searches | Family tree building and distant matches | Adopted emerging tools used across Canada |
| Late 2024 | Suspect identified via genealogy | Targeted comparisons and lineage mapping | Model for cross-provincial analytical practice |
| August 2025 | DNA confirmation; case closure announcement | Laboratory validation and briefing | Cold case announcement 2025 noted in national context |
Key details of the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie apartment scene
The apartment had no signs of forced entry. All doors were locked. Despite a fire attempt, DNA was found in protected areas.
This scene helped the Montreal police follow preservation steps. It also became a key example in Canadian crime investigation.
How locked doors shaped early investigative theories
Locked doors suggested the assailant had consent. This matched the later discovery of Daviau discussing her car sale.
Investigators looked at controlled access, victim routine, and the location in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. These details helped form theories until genetic tools and the 2025 announcement clarified the events.
Breakthrough through genetic genealogy and advanced DNA methods
The case changed when science moved to new tools. These tools map family ties. The Quebec forensic lab used genetic genealogy and advanced DNA methods to find a lead. They used banked samples and DNA from volunteers to find a name.
From 2008 DNA profiling to genetic genealogy in 2021
In 2008, the Quebec forensic lab got a DNA profile that didn’t match anyone. For years, the DNA profile 2008 was kept aside while old methods failed.
In 2021, new methods were used. Analysts compared DNA to distant relatives, not just exact matches.
“A revolution comparable to the first wave of 1990s testing,” said Diane Séguin, describing how broader kinship signals opened new investigative doors.
Why banked DNA and public genealogy databases matter
Two things helped: DNA kept for court cases and data from 23andMe and Ancestry. Each has its own role.
- Banked DNA is kept legally and lets the DNA profile 2008 be rechecked.
- Public data on 23andMe and Ancestry helps find distant relatives.
- The Quebec forensic lab checks candidates with DNA methods that are legal in court.
Confirming a match through distant relatives and laboratory validation
Genealogists start with the crime-scene DNA, then find common ancestors. They go down to today’s relatives. Even distant relatives can narrow down to one person.
When a candidate is found, DNA from family is compared. The Quebec forensic lab tests it to make sure it’s right.
| Step | Primary Data Source | Method | Role of Quebec Forensic Lab | Outcome Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Profile | DNA profile 2008 | Short tandem repeat analysis | Profile creation and databank search | No direct offender match |
| Kinship Discovery | 23andMe and Ancestry opt‑in datasets | Genetic genealogy with segment comparison | Identify distant relatives and tree nodes | List of possible family branches |
| Tree Building | Public records and banked DNA | Common-ancestor triangulation | Cross-reference lineage hypotheses | Single high-probability candidate |
| Validation | Family DNA comparisons | Advanced DNA methods for confirmation | Independent laboratory testing | Confirmed genetic relationship |
The role of the Montreal police major crimes unit
The Montreal police major crimes unit worked hard for years. They used new science to keep going. The official account shows their steps. They kept the case moving in the cold case unit Canada.
Leadership by Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont and the investigative team
Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont led the team with clear goals. She worked with Cmdr. François Sauvé and Suzanne Marchand. They made sure lab work matched street work.
They had a system for feedback. Detectives checked lab results against witness statements. They also reviewed old ideas before new interviews.
Processing hundreds of tips and over 100 DNA samples
Analysts worked hard on tips and DNA samples. They looked at over 100 samples. This helped them compare DNA in new and old ways.
The team kept track of everything. They noted who had the samples and what they found. This kept the case moving without repeating work.
How family DNA comparisons corroborated the suspect identity
When they found a lead, they asked for family DNA. This helped confirm the suspect’s identity. It matched what the lab found.
Then, they checked the findings against other evidence. They made sure everything matched. This was under Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont’s leadership.
Victim profile and last known contacts
In December 2008, a 26-year-old was at the centre of a victim profile Montreal. Her life showed steady habits and strong ties to the Montreal community. Friends saw her as calm and organised. Neighbours on 5th Avenue noted her regular routines and tidy home.
Who Catherine Daviau was and her life in Rosemont
She lived in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, near Parc Père-Marquette and cafés on Beaubien. Her life was filled with familiar faces, transit, and evenings at local spots. She stayed close to family and had a small social circle.
Her days were balanced with work, errands, and fitness. She preferred simple plans and kept her phone close. This routine helped create a clear timeline.
The online classified car listing that preceded the crime
Days before her death, she posted a car for sale online. The ad attracted many replies, but one stood out. It was direct and asked about price and pick-up.
This call was later linked to Jacques Bolduc’s phone. At the time, the number was reassigned, hiding its origin. The ad was the only public clue into her life.
Interpreting no forced entry and the contact trail
There were no signs of a break-in. Doors were locked, and the apartment looked tidy. This suggested she might have opened the door herself.
The contact trail focused on phone logs and voicemails. The car listing helped match calls with her movements around 5th Avenue.
| Element | Specifics | Relevance to Contacts | Context in Rosemont |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence | 5th Avenue, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie | Neighbour sightings anchored the timeline | Walkable streets, steady Rosemont life |
| Routine | Work, errands, local cafés | Predictable windows for calls and meetings | Close-knit Montreal community habits |
| Car Listing | Online ad with phone contact | Primary online classifieds lead | Public post created new outreach |
| Key Call | Inquiry traced to Jacques Bolduc’s phone | Linked buyer interest to her schedule | Matched timing near home routines |
| Entry Signs | No forced entry; doors locked | Supported a known or expected visitor | Aligned with cautious personal habits |
| Phone Number Status | Seizure and reassignment post-arrest | Complicated early attribution | Delayed clarity in the contact trail |
Forensic findings at the scene
Firefighters found smoke and silence at the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie apartment. Officers started a detailed crime scene analysis. This work would guide their efforts for years.
In Montreal, the team worked slowly. They logged items, temperatures, and timelines. This kept the evidence chain intact.
DNA preserved despite an attempted arson
There was an attempt to erase evidence by arson. Yet, Quebec’s forensic science lab kept DNA stable. A male genetic profile was found in 2008, but it didn’t match the national databank then.
Heat and soot patterns helped protect biological material. This method is key in Montreal. It kept evidence good for re-testing as technology got better.
Sexual assault and evidence distribution across multiple locations
The victim was restrained and attacked. Evidence of sexual assault was found in several parts of the home. Some areas were kept secret to protect the case.
Police carefully packaged and controlled temperatures. This helped keep evidence fresh for future tests.
Linking crime scene DNA to the ultimate suspect
Years later, genetic genealogy narrowed down suspects. Family DNA comparisons helped. In August 2025, a single profile was confirmed.
This showed how DNA can be key, even after an arson attempt. Classic analysis and new tools led to identifying the suspect. This is a success story in Montreal’s forensic work.
| Evidence Focus | Preservation Method | Investigative Value | Timeline Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological swabs | Low-temperature storage; sealed kits | Enabled DNA preserved across re-testing cycles | 2008 collection; re-analysed 2021–2025 |
| Fire impact survey | Soot mapping; heat gradient logging | Showed attempted arson patterns without full destruction | Initial scene work in 2008 |
| Sexual assault evidence | Chain-of-custody seals; humidity control | Corroborated contact and supported genealogy leads | Logged in 2008; reviewed in 2021 |
| Genetic genealogy | Distant relative triangulation; family tree building | Linked crime scene DNA to a single suspect | Initiated 2021; validated August 2025 |
Jacques Bolduc
In 2025, Jacques Bolduc was linked to Catherine Daviau’s murder through forensic methods. His biography now focuses on this discovery and his death in 2021. He died of natural causes at Archambault Institution in Quebec.
Police found a single clue: a phone call after Daviau listed her car for sale online.
Jacques Bolduc had a history of violent crimes, which influenced public opinion. Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont said his name wasn’t in the original investigation. Later, DNA comparisons revealed his identity.
This new information changed how we understand the 2008 events. It shows how crime intersects with modern forensic tools.
The jacques bolduc impact is significant in how police explain their work. It also shapes policing practices. The details below provide a concise overview of his case.
| Detail | Verified Information | Relevance to Case |
|---|---|---|
| Identification Year | 2025 | Marks when investigators named Jacques Bolduc using genetic genealogy and follow-up comparisons. |
| Deceased | 2021, natural causes at Archambault Institution, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines | Explains the absence of court proceedings and shapes the procedural end of the file. |
| Corrections Status at Death | Serving sentences for two armed robberies and two attempted murders | Frames the jacques bolduc background and informs risk assessment narratives. |
| Connection to Victim | No prior relationship; contact began after an online vehicle listing | Clarifies the interaction point that preceded the homicide. |
| Investigative Visibility in 2008 | Name did not arise during initial police work | Shows why the jacques bolduc career did not intersect with early suspect lists. |
| Method Leading to Identification | Genetic genealogy with family DNA corroboration | Illustrates the jacques bolduc impact on how historical evidence can be re-analysed. |
Jacques Bolduc background and criminal history
The jacques bolduc background is key to understanding Montreal’s investigations. His long criminal history was a major focus. It showed patterns and risks over decades in Quebec.
From first arrest in 1979 to armed robberies and attempted murders
Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont said he was arrested at 19 in 1979. He was already known to police. His file showed armed robberies, attempted murders, and car thefts.
These crimes showed his crimes got worse over time. He moved between cities, showing both planning and unpredictability. His history also highlighted how supervision and parole influenced his actions.
Halfway house status and movements around the 2008 crime
In December 2008, he was in a halfway house. He was supposed to be under community supervision. But he didn’t return the night Catherine Daviau was killed.
His failure to return led to checks on his whereabouts. Travel notes and curfew logs from the halfway house were critical. They helped track his movements before and after the murder.
Arrest in Sherbrooke and the phone number reassignment gap
Two days after the murder, he was arrested in Sherbrooke for trying to steal a car. Police took his phone. The number was later changed by the carrier, making it hard to trace calls.
This change hid a link to a call to Daviau about her car. Later, DNA and genealogy work confirmed this connection. It showed his involvement in armed robberies and attempted murders.
How the suspect connection was missed and later found
In 2008, the Montreal investigation moved quickly. Yet, a missed suspect link shaped the early picture. Locked doors, an attempted arson, and a male DNA profile without a match left detectives with few leads.
With no match and no forced entry, the file leaned toward a known contact. But no name rose to the surface.
Why Bolduc never surfaced during the initial investigation
Despite a long record, Jacques Bolduc did not appear in the first sweep. The 2008 profile offered no CODIS-style match. Analysts had only fragments to compare.
Without a flag in case notes, his history stayed outside the core working list during the Montreal investigation.
Tracing the call to Daviau’s car sale post years later
One detail kept slipping by: a reply to Catherine Daviau’s online car listing. Phone records were checked, but the device tied to the call changed hands after a Sherbrooke arrest. The number was reassigned, masking the source for years.
When investigators revisited legacy phone records, they mapped the SIM and handset trail. The audit linked the inquiry call back to Bolduc’s phone, closing the gap that once hid the origin. This step set the stage for later work in the jacques bolduc court case.
Genetic genealogy narrowing to a single match
In 2021, detectives turned to genetic genealogy. Using distant relatives from banked and voluntary sources, they built branches across provinces. They pared them down with location and age filters.
The tree pointed to one viable person—a genealogical match consistent with the case timeline. Further checks, including family DNA comparisons and corroboration work, aligned with the new lead. Those results helped structure the path toward the August 2025 milestone and informed filings in the jacques bolduc court case within the broader Montreal investigation.
Inside the science of genetic genealogy used in Quebec
In Canada, labs now see genetic genealogy Quebec as a useful tool. It mixes DNA profiling with family history to find leads. This method is done carefully, keeping privacy and quality high.
Building family trees from distant relatives
Analysts start with a DNA profile from a crime scene. They look for matches in distant relatives in approved databases. They then connect these matches to common ancestors.
As they move down the family tree, they narrow the search. Police compare ages, locations, and movements to find a match.
Even with very distant relatives, patterns can be found. Family reference samples help confirm or rule out lines. Each step is checked with data before names are considered.
The “revolution” compared with 1990s DNA testing
This change is called a DNA revolution. In the 1990s, DNA tests were simple yes or no answers. Now, they can find relatives even without a direct sample. This is thanks to Quebec’s unique genetic makeup.
Studies on French-Canadian genetics, like this peer-reviewed analysis, help trace ancestry. This shows how identity and inheritance are connected through statistics and case facts.
Legal and voluntary DNA sources, including consumer databases
Canadian law requires DNA to be obtained legally. Police may get court orders for specific samples. Labs follow strict rules for these samples.
For more leads, people who share their DNA on 23andMe and Ancestry help. Each match is a hypothesis until proven. Investigators gather family references, check timelines, and confirm lab results. This careful approach turns scattered clues into a clear path.
Impact on Canadian cold cases and policing
The Daviau case changed how police handle Canadian cold cases. It showed the power of science and hard work together. In Montreal, this change is affecting budgets, training, and priorities.
Montreal’s 800 unresolved files and dedicated investigators
Cmdr. Mélanie Dupont said Montreal police have about 800 unsolved cases. Most are from before 2000, with 100 from after 2010. Now, 16 investigators work full-time on these cases, showing the importance of ongoing effort.
These teams look over old tips, update exhibits for new tests, and search DNA databases. They aim to turn every clue into a lead. Their work is slow but steady, based on solid facts and careful checks.
Policy implications for evidence retention and database use
The case made agencies rethink their evidence storage policies. They now keep swabs from damaged scenes for future tests. This means keeping detailed logs and storing evidence in cool, controlled spaces.
It’s also important for labs to use formats that won’t become outdated. They need rules for accessing DNA databases legally and safely. This ensures analysts can compare profiles without crossing privacy lines.
Ethical considerations for privacy and consent
There’s a big debate about privacy and consent in using consumer data for crime solving. Canadians want safety but also rules to prevent misuse. They want clear notices, choices, and strict warrants to protect families.
Having independent checks and narrow search rules helps balance rights and solving crimes. This way, investigators can use DNA databases in a way that builds trust and respects privacy.
Media, art, and public discourse connections
In Canada, CBC/Radio-Canada and Global News changed how we talk about forensic tools. They explained genetic genealogy in simple terms. This included how it matches distant relatives and uses legal databases.
This coverage reached homes and schools, changing our views on science, privacy, and accountability.
Visiting an art gallery is now different. People see how a Quebec artist or a Canadian painter can express memory, loss, and evidence visually. Their work sits alongside news, encouraging us to think deeply about what proof means in our lives.
Canadian coverage and public understanding of modern forensic tools
News segments explained techniques clearly. They showed how a small DNA sample can lead to a family tree. This is similar to how curators arrange art in an exhibition.
People learned that modern tools use fragments and probability, not just a single sample. This understanding helps us evaluate policy debates more thoughtfully.
It also opens up space for museums and community spaces to host talks. These talks connect science and contemporary art, exploring themes of method, consent, and identity.
Quebec artist narratives, contemporary art, and societal reflection
In Montreal and Quebec City, contemporary art often deals with justice and memory. A Quebec artist might use found photos or stitched paper to reflect on case files. A Canadian painter near Mile End might use the tone of archives, then express it through colour and pace.
At an art gallery, these works feel deeply personal. They show how contemporary art can hold both grief and care in the same space.
Modern art trend parallels: abstraction, reconstruction, and truth-seeking
A modern art trend focuses on reconstruction from fragments. Artists reassemble notes, maps, or copied text into new forms, similar to investigators rebuilding a timeline. Abstract expressionism is used to express doubt and resolution, line by line.
In an art exhibition, this method turns inquiry into texture. Brushwork suggests the noise of a search; negative space hints at gaps in a record. Through these choices, artistic creations reflect public conversations on evidence, technology, and human understanding.
- Media guides the first step: what happened, and how do tools work?
- Galleries deepen the pause: what does proof feel like up close?
- Artists extend the dialogue: where do fragments end and meaning begin?
Together, journalism and studio practice keep the file present without spectacle. They show how modern art trends can meet science openly. Here, people compare facts, stories, and images that stay with them after the news fades.
Conclusion
The case of Jacques Bolduc shows how important care, patience, and science are. It started in 2008 with an attempted arson. Years later, genetic genealogy helped solve it, linking distant relatives to DNA evidence.
In August 2025, Jacques Bolduc was identified, ending a long wait. This breakthrough shows how old evidence can be re-examined. It also highlights the power of genetic genealogy in solving crimes.
This case solved in Montreal shows the importance of keeping evidence safe. It also shows how teamwork and careful detective work can solve crimes. The police used family trees and DNA to solve the case.
They worked hard to keep privacy and consent in mind. This shows how Canadian police can use new technology while keeping trust. Every step was based on solid evidence, from DNA to lab tests.
Even though Jacques Bolduc died in 2021, the case is solved. It proves the value of keeping DNA samples and detailed records. It also opens up discussions on genetic genealogy, evidence storage, and legal standards in Canada.
For Montreal police, this case is a guide for solving other cases. They have about 800 files to work on. This case shows how genetic genealogy and careful work can solve crimes.
The story of Catherine Daviau is both personal and important. It shows how DNA and lab work can solve crimes. It also shows how Canadian police are changing, using old evidence to find answers.