The Surete du Quebec arrested a suspect Thursday in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Rosianna Poucachiche—a case that’s remained cold for the last 17 years.
The suspect, a 33-year-old man from the Outaouais region, was arrested at a hunting outpost just south of Lac Rapide. Police say that he fled into the forest on foot briefly before being captured.
On October 10, 2000, Poucachiche was found beaten to death in bed at the home she shared with her father on the Algonquin reserve.
At the time, the cause of death was stated to be significant head trauma.
A spokesperson for the SQ said that the lead came after new DNA tests were performed this spring.
Although the suspect was investigated at the time of the murder and his house was searched by police – preliminary DNA testing could not link him to the crime.
At the time, Poucachiche’s family criticized the SQ’s handling of the case, specifically the absence of leads in the years following her murder.
The connection between the suspect and the victim was not disclosed by police. Officials say they knew each other from the community.
Some reports indicate that the suspect’s name has not been released because he was a minor at the time of the murder.
He will appear at the Maniwaki courthouse today to face a first-degree murder charge.
The SQ’s website on unsolved crimes is open to the public, providing information on a variety of open cases in hopes that the public can contribute to their resolution.
Anyone with information on criminal or suspicious events are urged to communicate with the Surete du Quebec’s Criminal Intelligence Unit confidentially at 1-800-659-4264.
