Second Degree Murder Charge and Arrest in 1996 Stabbing Death of Christopher Smith

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 16, 2024            1:15 p.m.

First Use of Advanced DNA Testing by Ottawa Police

(Ottawa) – A Vancouver man has been arrested and charged with second degree murder in relation to the stabbing death of Christopher Smith in 1996. A review of the cold case by the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit detectives and advanced DNA technology were significant to the laying of this charge.

73-year-old Lawrence DIEHL was arrested in Vancouver on December 10 and returned to Ottawa by investigators on December 13. He appeared in court on December 14.

Background

In the early morning hours of April 12, 1996, 22-year-old Christopher Smith was stabbed to death on the Portage Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec.

Advances in forensics and DNA have allowed police to identify the perpetrator and the matter is now before the court.

Ottawa Police investigators have worked on the cold case since 2020, in collaboration with the RCMP and Toronto Police Service. Using advanced DNA testing, including Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), the suspect was identified as Lawrence Diehl and was arrested and charged thanks to significant assistance from the Vancouver Police Service.

Investigative genetic genealogy involves using genetic data from databases to trace potential family lineages as part of criminal investigations.

This is the first time Ottawa Police have used this technology.

“By bringing these charges, the Ottawa Police Service demonstrates once again that we will never stop working for victims of crime and their loved ones,” said Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs. “We will continue to embrace innovative techniques to solve cases, and I commend the members of our Homicide Unit for ensuring that no case is ever forgotten, and no effort is spared. We have spoken to the family of Mr. Smith to advise them of this development in the case. I also want to thank the Vancouver Police for their significant assistance in this investigation.” 

Investigators are seeking anyone with information regarding Diehl and his time in Ottawa.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.

Ottawa Police have 63 unsolved homicides cases that are repeatedly reviewed. Please view our other unsolved cases and rewards available for information leading to an arrest.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting crimestoppers.ca. 

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

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