Crime
American Serial Rapist Linked to Murders of Four Young Women in Canada During the 1970s
Canadian authorities have linked the murders of two teenage girls and two young women in the 1970s to an American serial rapist, Gary Allen Srery. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Friday that Srery, who died in an Idaho prison in 2011, was responsible for the deaths of Eva Dvorak, Patricia McQueen, Melissa Rehorek, and Barbara MacLean. This revelation comes nearly 50 years after the crimes were committed, bringing a sense of closure to the long-unsolved cases.
The investigation into these murders has been a prolonged and arduous journey for law enforcement. The bodies of the victims were discovered in various locations outside Calgary, Alberta, between 1976 and 1977. Despite extensive efforts, the cases remained unsolved for decades. However, advancements in DNA technology and the application of forensic investigative genetic genealogy have finally provided the breakthrough needed to identify the perpetrator.
Eva Dvorak and Patricia McQueen, both 14 years old, were last seen together on February 15, 1976, in downtown Calgary. Their bodies were found the following day under a highway underpass west of the city. The cause of death was initially unclear, but recent DNA analysis revealed the presence of semen, indicating sexual assault. The same DNA profile was later matched to the murders of Melissa Rehorek and Barbara MacLean.
Melissa Rehorek, a 20-year-old housekeeper from Ontario, had moved to Calgary in the spring of 1976. She was last seen by her roommate before she went hitchhiking. Her body was found in a ditch in a township west of Calgary. Barbara MacLean, a 19-year-old bank employee from Nova Scotia, had only been living in Calgary for six months before her death. She was last seen leaving a hotel bar, and her body was found six hours later just outside Calgary.
The RCMP's historical homicide unit, in collaboration with Calgary police, began re-examining the cases in 2021. The use of investigative genetic genealogy, which combines DNA analysis with traditional genealogy research, played a crucial role in identifying Srery as the suspect. DNA evidence from the crime scenes was re-tested, and a match was found with Srery's DNA, which had been collected during his incarceration in Idaho.
Gary Allen Srery had an extensive criminal record in the United States, including charges of forcible rape, kidnapping, and burglary. He fled to Canada in 1974 after posting bail for a rape charge in California. Srery lived in Alberta and British Columbia under various aliases until his arrest for sexual assault in New Westminster, British Columbia, in 1998. He was deported to the U.S. in 2003, where he was convicted of sexually motivated crimes and sentenced to life in prison.
The identification of Srery as the killer has brought a sense of relief to the families of the victims. While the parents of all four victims have since passed away, their siblings and other living relatives have been updated on the case. The RCMP has expressed their gratitude to the families for their patience and resilience over the years.
Superintendent David Hall of the Alberta RCMP stated, "For nearly 50 years, the Alberta RCMP have tirelessly pursued justice for these tragic deaths. We are grateful to have finally identified the person responsible." He also noted that Srery's criminality spanned decades and multiple jurisdictions, and there may be more victims. The RCMP is urging anyone with information about Srery's activities between 1974 and 1996 to come forward.
The use of DNA technology and genetic genealogy has revolutionized the field of criminal investigations, allowing law enforcement to solve cold cases that were previously thought to be unsolvable. This case serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the investigators who never gave up on seeking justice for the victims and their families.
As the investigation continues, authorities hope to uncover more information about Srery's activities and potentially link him to other unsolved cases in Canada and the United States. The identification of Srery as the killer marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families, bringing a long-awaited sense of closure to these tragic cases.