Authorities in Saskatoon have resolved a century-old enigma, identifying the body of a previously unknown woman found in the city’s Sutherland neighborhood back in 2006. The woman, who had been discovered in a well shaft, has now been confirmed as Alice Spence (nee Burke), a 35-year-old of Irish descent who investigators believe was a victim of foul play between 1916 and 1918.
After nearly two decades of mystery, Alice’s great-granddaughter, Cindy Camp, shared her shock at the revelation during a recent press conference. Camp, residing in Sherwood Park, Alberta, expressed the emotional impact of learning about Alice’s tragic fate, highlighting how her grandmother Idella, orphaned at 17 and mum about her mother, passed away in 1995.
Grateful for the efforts of those who tirelessly pursued answers over the years, Camp expressed a poignant desire to converse with her grandmother and gain insight into their family history now that Alice’s identity has been restored.
Recent advancements in genetic science played a pivotal role in cracking the case that had stumped investigators for years. Through collaborative efforts with Toronto police’s investigative genetic genealogy team, Saskatoon police successfully traced potential relatives of Alice, eventually piecing together her family tree with the help of Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy company.
Alice, who had resided close to the well, had moved to Sutherland in 1913 with her husband Charles and their young daughter Idella. Tragically, evidence suggests that Alice had been assaulted before her demise, with the circumstances surrounding her murder still shrouded in mystery.
Despite having a suspect in the murder, Saskatoon police have opted not to disclose further details as the suspect is presumed deceased. Considered a closed case with no further pursuit of justice, Alice’s remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in 2009, with plans underway to mark her grave with a headstone bearing her name and birth date.
Sharing biographical details about Alice, authorities painted a picture of her life, revealing her origins in Michigan, her journey to Minnesota, and her family life in Saskatoon marred by tragedy and loss. The resolution of this historic case marks a significant milestone, believed to be the oldest investigation in Canada to be solved using investigative genetic genealogy.