Police search two properties as cold case takes ‘major’ turn

KINGSTON Two properties in city’s east end were searched by Kingston police and the Ontario Provincial Police late Thursday afternoon as part of multiple historical homicide investigations.

The properties were a yellow bungalow at 966 Cottage Farms Rd. off Highway 2 and a former feed mill at 1121 Middle Rd. On Thursday afternoon, multiple officers, some in uniform and others not, searched through and around the properties.

While the feed mill is slightly more secluded, multiple officers on Cottage Farms Road went door to door speaking to neighbours on the residential street.

While some neighbours who are newer to the quiet street were taken aback by the number of officers, one neighbour was not. Once she saw that officers were searching the Middle Road property, she knew they’d be on their way. She said that the person who lives on her street frequents both locations.

The woman said there has been a couple living in the home for a number of years. They would receive just as much company as anyone else and never bothered anyone.

She said police told her to watch for a court date being released Friday morning.

On Thursday afternoon, seemingly just as officers were arriving at the two locations, the OPP and the Kingston police notified the media that there would be a news conference about a “major development” in multiple historical homicide investigations Friday morning.

Postmedia has confirmed that the announcement and the searches at the two properties are connected.

The investigation is a “joint forces” initiative, and on Friday, Kingston police Chief Antje McNeely and OPP criminal investigations branch Insp. Jim Gorry and Insp. Brad Collins will be making the presentation and taking questions.

The presentation will be providing details and the latest developments on the case that is said to reach back about 25 years.

While many rumours are circling about the subject of the investigation, nothing has been confirmed by police.