OPP hope van with Hatch evidence will aid cold murder investigation
WELLINGTON COUNTY — In an unprecedented move, Wellington OPP are inviting the public to come and view a van displaying photographs and evidence related to the unsolved murder of Frederick (John) Hatch.
On Monday, the van, which serves as a rolling billboard, made its first stop in Erin, where Hatch lived.
Then, it will travel to communities along Highway 7 until it reaches Nepean — the last place Hatch was seen alive.
Hatch’s body was found last Dec. 17 just before 7 a.m. east of the 10th Line off Wellington Road 124 near Erin.
Hatch was last seen in the Ottawa area the day before, Dec. 16, just after 1 p.m. at a Dollar Tree store.
Police are unsure how Hatch got to the Ottawa area, but he was known to hitchhike.
At the time of his death, he was wearing a denim vest with Mickey Mouse characters on the back, a black leather jacket, a blue and white bandana, glasses and black Harley-Davidson boots. He was carrying a red duffel bag.
In June, the provincial government offered a reward of $50,000 for information in the Hatch murder.
Investigators urge anyone with information to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, where a cash reward of up to $2000 may be available.