Police to give update on death of Durham teen
DNA of second woman found in apartment
OSHAWA, ONT. — The DNA of a second woman has been found in a basement apartment east of Toronto where a pregnant teen’s dismembered remains were found last year, police told a news conference on Tuesday.
Investigators believe the DNA belongs to Kandis Fitzpatrick, who was last seen by her family in 2008 when she would have been 18, said Det. Darren Short of the Durham Regional Police Service.
He did not comment on the nature of the DNA, but noted that its profile matches that of Fitzpatrick’s parents. Short added that there’s no apparent connection between Fitzpatrick and 18-year-old Rori Hache, whose remains were found in the same basement in Oshawa, Ont., late last year after people working on the home called police.
Police have said they are treating Hache’s death as a homicide, though no murder-related charges have been laid so far.
“I’ve spoken with (Hache’s) family ... and I’ve made it abundantly clear through all the conversations that we need the evidence to lay the charge, and this will take time,” Short said.
“By going through the exhibits and the evidence we’ve collected, the results of that will dictate the further laying of charges.”
Adam Strong of Oshawa, Ont., who lived in the apartment, has been charged with indignity to a body in relation to Hache’s remains.
Strong, who remains in custody, has not spoken to police since his arrest, on the advice of his lawyer, investigators said.
After the news conference, Hache’s mother, Shanan Dionne, said it’s frustrating that the investigation has continued so long without murder charges being laid.
“It’s the worst feeling in the world because you almost feel like Rori is being minimized,” she said.
“But I believe in (the) detectives, that they are taking their time for a reason ... I’m glad I’m not putting negative pressure on the police force, I’m glad I’m not getting in their heads and taking time away from the investigation.”
Several of Hache’s relatives attended Tuesday’s news conference wearing black T-shirts with the words “Justice 4 Rori,” and the letters G.B.N.F., which stands for “Gone But Not Forgotten.”
Dionne said she hopes the verification of Fitzpatrick’s DNA was good news for her family.
A fisherman discovered a torso in Lake Ontario that was later linked to Hache by DNA testing, and officers found more of Hache’s remains, along with a homemade explosive device, in the basement in December.