Toronto police have identified Kenneth Smith (d. 2019) as the suspected killer in three cold-case homicides spanning 1982 to 1997. Advances in forensic testing and genetic genealogy enabled investigators to trace relatives and make a conclusive DNA match. Victims include Christine Prince (1982), Claire Samson (1983) and Gracelyn Greenidge (1997). Police say Smith had a history of sexual assault, lived and worked in Toronto at the time of the murders, and believe there may be additional victims.
Deceased Man Identified As Suspect In Three Toronto Cold-Case Murders After Genetic Genealogy Breakthrough
Serial killer linked to at least 3 women's cold case murders
Toronto police have announced a major breakthrough in three long-unsolved homicides after recent forensic testing and genetic genealogy linked a deceased Ontario man to the crimes. Kenneth Smith, 72, of Windsor — who died in 2019 — has been conclusively identified as the suspected perpetrator in the killings of two women in the 1980s and a third in the 1990s.
Investigators say Smith lived and worked in Toronto at the time of the murders and had a prior history of sexual assault. Police believe there may be additional victims and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
Victims and Case Details
Christine Prince, 25: Found in the Rouge River in Toronto on June 22, 1982. Police say she had been sexually assaulted and suffered blunt force trauma to the head.
Claire Samson, 23: Discovered with gunshot wounds in Oro-Medonte Township on Sept. 1, 1983.
Gracelyn Greenidge, 41: Died of blunt-force trauma in her Toronto apartment on July 29, 1997.
How The Identification Was Made
As DNA technology advanced, investigators re-examined several unsolved homicides. Using genetic genealogy — the method of building family trees from DNA profiles and public databases — investigators were able to identify close relatives of the offender. A final forensic DNA comparison provided the conclusive match to Kenneth Smith.
“This case had haunted our office,” Det. Sgt. Steve Smith said in a police video, calling the breakthrough proof that many previously unsolvable cases can now be resolved.
Ontario Provincial Police Chief Supt. Karen Gonneau said the force reviewed a number of cold cases as DNA methods improved and that investigators had linked a suspect to all three women in 2017; the recent testing produced the conclusive identification.
Broader Context
Genetic genealogy has helped solve numerous cold cases worldwide, most notably the identification of the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo. The Toronto cases underscore how modern forensic tools can re-open investigations and offer answers to families long denied them.
Police reiterated that Smith had prior interactions with the justice system — including jail time before some of the murders — and that he had not previously been investigated for these particular crimes. Authorities continue to probe whether there are further victims and asked anyone with relevant information to contact investigators.
