Police identify remains found during demolition; homicide probe under way
Niagara Regional Police say human remains discovered at a demolished house in Niagara Falls in 2023 have been identified as Brenda Marie LeBlanc, and officers have opened a homicide investigation.
Police announced the identification on Wednesday after an extensive investigation that included the use of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). LeBlanc was last seen in the mid-1990s when she was in her 30s, police said. She had ties to both Niagara Falls and St. Catharines and was originally from New Brunswick.
The discovery of the remains occurred during demolition work at a property in Niagara Falls in 2023. The passage of time since the discovery and the advances in forensic methods culminated in this identification, according to investigators.
Police seek information from the public
Niagara Regional Police are asking anyone with information about LeBlanc to contact the Homicide Unit. Investigators say even small or seemingly unimportant details could be critical to piecing together what happened.
“Someone knew Brenda. Someone may remember who she was with, where she lived, or something that didn’t seem important at the time,”
The comment above was made by Insp. Andrew Knevel in a message posted by police to social media encouraging residents to come forward.
- Remains identified as Brenda Marie LeBlanc via Investigative Genetic Genealogy.
- LeBlanc last seen in the mid-1990s; lived in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and was originally from New Brunswick.
- Police have launched a homicide investigation and are appealing for any information, no matter how small.
Local implications and context
The identification closes a long chapter of uncertainty about the remains found during demolition in 2023 but opens a criminal investigation that could have ripple effects across Niagara Falls. For residents, the development revives questions about historical missing-person cases, community safety and how forensic advances can change the status of cold cases.
Investigative Genetic Genealogy has been a game-changer in many jurisdictions, allowing police to make identifications where traditional methods exhausted leads. In Niagara, the use of IGG in this matter demonstrates how older cases can be revisited with new science, and how evidence recovered or discovered years ago can lead to fresh inquiries.
Officials have not released further investigative details such as the exact location of the demolished house, the condition of the remains at discovery, or any possible suspects. That restraint is consistent with homicide investigations where preserving evidentiary integrity and investigative options is paramount.
How the public can help
Police have urged anyone who knew LeBlanc or who may have information relevant to the case to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit. No detail is considered too small, investigators say.
| Detail | What police are asking |
|---|---|
| Connections to Brenda LeBlanc | Names of people she associated with, places she lived or frequented in the mid-1990s |
| Unusual observations | Any memory of suspicious activity, unexplained absences or conversations from the period |
| Relevant physical evidence | Photographs, personal items or records that might link to LeBlanc |
Members of the public with information are asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit. Details for how to reach investigators were provided by police in their public notice.
This identification brings renewed public attention to a matter that spans decades. For the family of Brenda Marie LeBlanc — and for a community that includes both dense urban neighbourhoods and quieter suburban and rural pockets — the announcement is a reminder of the role residents can play in helping police resolve long-standing mysteries.
