Accused charged with murder in dismemberment deaths of 2 men

A 52-year-old man is facing multiple murder charges among other offences in the dismemberment deaths of two other men spanning from Barrie to Huntsville.

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Barrie Police said Thursday an arrest was originally made Aug. 2 in Midland after police began probing a missing persons case earlier this year, leading to “extensive searches” at the site of a former homeless encampment in Barrie and a rural area west of Huntsville.

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“The searches have led investigators to recover evidence, including suspected human remains, which have been transported to the Centre of Forensic Sciences located in Toronto,” Barrie Police said in a statement.

“Much of the detailed forensic examination of outdoor properties in recent weeks occurred after the primary suspect in this ongoing investigation was identified and arrested in Midland.”

Barrie Police have been conducting extensive searches linked to the deaths and dismemberments of two men, including a wooded area pinned on this map of Barrie, Ont. Photo by Google Maps

Police said “information obtained and confirmed through witness interviews” after the arrest allegedly linked the accused to the deaths and dismemberments of William “Blake” Robinson, 45, and David Cheesequay, 41.

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Robert Ladouceur is facing 19 counts in total, including first- and second-degree murder, two counts of indignity to a human body and multiple weapon and drug offences. He was arrested on the latest charges15 in all, Thursday at a correctional centre, CityNews reported.

Ladouceur had already been in custody on charges including weapons offences, fleeing from police and dangerous operation, according to Barrie Today, and had a bail hearing scheduled for Friday that he had asked to be postponed.

The release from Barrie Police said a bail hearing is expected to go ahead on Friday.

None of the charges have been tested in court.

Police had released little information on the case until Thursday, Barrie Today reported, despite dedicating “extensive” resources to the case. They said no more information will be released until a news conference Aug. 26 due to the “ongoing nature and sensitivity of this investigation.”

The Aug. 26 news briefing at the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus on Fairview Rd. will including Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, the release said.