Toronto police charge Hamilton man in 2006 Scarborough murder cold case

Toronto police have arrested and charged Pierre O'Connor, 43, of Hamilton with first-degree murder in the September 2006 death of Patrick Santos, a 21-year-old found deceased in a Scarborough home near Ellesmere Road and Bellamy Road.

DNA collected at the scene in 2006 yielded no match in the national database at the time. But in 2020, investigators turned to genetic genealogy and identified a person of interest last year. Police collected DNA from the suspect and confirmed a match with evidence from the crime scene.

"Patrick was a young man. He had a job, a future ahead of him, and plans to move in with his girlfriend," Det. Sgt. Stephen Smith said at a news conference Thursday. "While nothing will ever bring Patrick back, today we can say that the person we allege to be responsible for taking his life has been identified, arrested, and will now have to answer before the courts for his crime."

Smith said genetic genealogy has been transformative for solving cold cases. "Cases that we thought were completely unsolvable are now solvable," he said.

Police believe the homicide may have been related to a dispute between two friend groups, and investigators believe more than one person may have been involved. The investigation remains ongoing. Police did not disclose a motive and are asking anyone with information to contact them.