It's been 20 years since a Barrie woman was shot and killed on the front porch of a friend’s home in the city's Letitia Heights area, but police say they've received leads this year that they're working on to try and solve the decades-old crime.
Just after midnight on Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, Barrie police say 40-year-old April Dobson was shot in the head from behind while sitting outside 300 Browning Trail, not far from Leacock Drive, in the city's west end.
The victim’s son, Daniel Dobson, now 41 and living in Burlington, says he still struggles with his mother’s unsolved murder, having dealt with the tragedy both at the time and the prolonged mental health effects as the case remains open.
“(It’s been) 20 years of hell, 20 years of mental anguish … My family has disintegrated,” he told BarrieToday. “It’s been tough on me every single day to get up, put a smile on my face and go earn a living.”
Prior to the murder, April had finished her shift at Swiss Chalet as a delivery driver at the restaurant's Barrie View Drive location, near Mapleview Drive West and Highway 400, earlier in the evening on Oct. 13.
After work, she visited the residence of a co-worker, who resided at the Browning Trail home, to work on her broken-down vehicle, according to police.
“April spent several hours fixing the vehicle and was eventually successful in getting it started,” Det.-Const. Deborah Howe told BarrieToday.
“It was just before midnight when the two women sat on the front porch with another female co-worker and roommate, enjoying a glass of wine and Thanksgiving leftovers," the detective recalled..
Moments after midnight, a single gunshot struck April in the head. Despite the best efforts of a passerby to revive her, she immediately succumbed to her injuries at the scene, said Howe.
According to police, the killer, who witnesses described at the time as a young man with a thin build, believed to be between the ages of 16 and 18, was seen running eastbound from the Browning Trail home.
“The young man is described as white, clean cut, youthful, slim and dressed in beige cargo pants and a light-coloured long-sleeved sweatshirt," Howe said.
The person hopped on a mountain bike and disappeared down an unlit catwalk that provided access to Bronte Crescent and was never seen again, police say.
The bicycle was described as a brown mountain bike with wide tires and straight handle bars, according to Howe.
“There are current leads on this case from this year which we are actively pursuing,” the detective said.
In 2013, police offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. The reward still stands.
Daniel Dobson believes someone, somewhere, has answers.
“Do the right thing," he pleaded. "People out there know."
Howe also believes someone knows what happened that night in 2005 and who is responsible.
“The police need continued co-operation from the community and witnesses despite the passage of time,” she said. “The investigation continues and it would significantly assist if those with intimate knowledge come forward.
“The killer is a son, a friend, maybe a brother, a partner. Someone close to him knows what he did," Howe added. "Twenty years have passed … since April was killed in cold blood. Even the smallest detail could help bring peace to a grieving son and family. If you know something, now is the time to come forward and make a difference.”
Anyone with information is urged to call the homicide unit's tip line at 705-725-7025, ext. 2160, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
On Tuesday, Barrie police issued a statement in an attempt to raise awareness around the case.
“Although it has been 20 years since this horrific crime occurred, the investigation into April’s death has continued and remains today an active and ongoing investigation,” police stated.
Investigators from the Barrie police major crime/homicide unit say they believe the key to bringing resolution to this murder investigation will come from someone in the community.
“If you are that person, now is the time to reach out and share the details you have with our detectives," police say.