Arrest in Murder After 26 Years
After 26 years, a team of investigators using genetic genealogy solved the murder of Donna Oglive.
“With IGG (Investigative Genetic Genealogy) now anybody that committed sexual assault or homicides over the past 40 or 50 years – if they’re still alive – they’d be expecting a knock at their door at any point,” said Detective Sergeant Stephen Smith at a news conference at police headquarters on February 7.
On March 8, 1998 at about 7 a.m., 51 Division officers were called to the rear parking lot at 130 Carlton St. where they found the body of 24-year-old sex trade worker Donna Oglive, a British Columbia resident and mother who had been in the city for five weeks.
The cause of death was strangulation.
“For 26 years, investigators have remained committed to seeking justice for Donna and her loved ones,” said Smith. “Advances in forensic technology along with the unwavering dedication of our team and investigative partners have led us to this arrest. Our thoughts remain with Donna’s family and friends who have endured decades of grief and unanswered questions. No matter how much time passes, we do not give up on victims of homicide.”
Genealogists began tracking the DNA in 2022, leading to Ackerman’s family. Investigators were able to gather sample and make a match last year.
On February 6, 50-year-old Ronald Gordon Ackerman, of Gander, Newfoundland, was arrested at Pearson International Airport.
Flying in from Edmonton where he was working in the oilfields in northern Alberta, the accused was nabbed just after midnight.
He is charged with First Degree murder.
At the time of the homicide, Ackerman was living in Scarborough and working as a truck driver.
“We need to find out what he’s been doing over the past 25 years to make sure that there are no other victims, whether sexually motivated or homicides that he could be involved in,” Smith said.
Since 1998, Toronto Police Homicide & Missing Persons Unit Cold Case Section has actively investigated the case.
Investigators developed a man DNA profile from evidence at the scene, but no match was found. In December 2019, a YouTube video was released appealing for information and, in October 2021, the case was featured in a Toronto Police podcast highlighting unsolved homicides.
Three years ago, investigators launched a Genetic Genealogy investigation with the assistance of OTHRAM lab in Texas that specialises in forensic genetic genealogy to resolve unsolved murders, disappearances, and identification.
This forensic technique led to the identification of a suspect living in Gander.
Smith thanked the Homicide & Missing Persons Unit and the Cold Case and Forensic Identification Services members – past and present – for their commitment to bringing Ackerman to justice.
He also acknowledged the Edmonton and Calgary Police Services, the Alberta and Newfoundland & Labrador RCMP, the Centre for Forensic Science for their assistance and the Ministry of the Solicitor General for its funding that made the genetic genealogy investigation possible.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide investigators at 416-808-7400, or report to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or online at 222tips.com.
