Latest news with #RachelleDesrochers
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Man charged in Ottawa woman's murder had a history of intimate partner violence cases
Social Sharing The man charged with the first-degree murder of a missing Ottawa woman has a history of intimate partner violence cases, court records show. Joshua Blair, 35, is accused of murdering 54-year-old Rachelle Desrochers on or about March 16, as well as committing an indignity to her body by throwing it in a dumpster. Blair was initially charged with second-degree murder. Earlier this week, an upgraded charge of first-degree murder was filed in court. Desrochers was last seen alive on Elgin Street on March 14, two days before her alleged murder, according to a missing person announcement issued by Ottawa police in April. On Sunday, police announced her alleged murder and the search for her remains at a local landfill. Search efforts took place last weekend and earlier this week. Her remains have not been found. According to court records, Blair was charged in June 2023 with mischief under $5,000 for damaging a patio table, chairs and a television belonging to another woman with whom he was in a relationship. CBC is not naming the woman because she is a victim of intimate partner violence, and CBC has been unable to reach her. The court ordered Blair not to communicate with or go near the woman, nor three other people who shared her last name. When Blair failed to show up at the Ottawa Courthouse to be fingerprinted and photographed that same month, he was charged with failing to comply with an undertaking. On July 12, 2023, Blair returned to the woman's house where he kicked open her front door and entered. He was subsequently arrested and charged with failing to comply with an undertaking not to communicate with the woman or her relatives, being within 250 metres of her home, and breaking and entering. On Oct. 23, 2023, Blair pleaded guilty to the original mischief charge, as well as being unlawfully in a dwelling. The other charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown. Blair 'embarrassed,' lawyer told court At his sentencing, Blair's then lawyer Carey MacLellan said his client was remorseful for his actions toward his former partner. "Joshua has, from moment one, encouraged me to resolve these matters so he could take responsibility for himself. He seems to be embarrassed. His emotions got the best of him," MacLellan said at the time. On the recommendation of both the defence and Crown, Ontario Court Justice Robert Wadden handed down a 90-day conditional sentence (house arrest) and one year of probation. Blair was again ordered to stay away from and not communicate with the woman and three other individuals sharing her last name. He was also ordered to attend and actively participate in a partner assault response program. In July 2024, Blair was charged with violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer. He pleaded guilty in February 2025 and received a suspended sentence and another year of probation. The next month, on or about March 16, police allege he murdered Desrochers and disposed of her body in a dumpster. The allegations have not been proven. In April, Blair was charged with breaching his 2023 probation order for failing to attend domestic violence counselling between mid-October 2024 and mid-January 2025. That case remains before the court. Arrested twice in 11 days On May 13, Blair was arrested and accused of unlawfully entering the house he agreed to stay away from, punching and kicking holes in the drywall, and violating his probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He was released later that same day after posting a $1,000 bond under conditions to stay away from the home he had unlawfully entered, and not to possess tools for breaking into buildings or vehicles. Eleven days later he was again arrested and charged with breaching probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. That charge was withdrawn at the request of the Crown that same day. Also that day, Blair was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body. He remains in custody and is next set to appear in court on Friday. Police have labelled Desrochers's killing a femicide. CBC has not been able to confirm how Blair and Desrochers knew each other.
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Ottawa man charged with second-degree murder in femicide
Slaying was Ottawa's ninth homicide and third femicide this year to date An Ottawa man has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to a femicide of 54-year-old Rachelle Desrochers, who was reported missing last month. Photo by JULIE OLIVER / POSTMEDIA An Ottawa man has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to a femicide of 54-year-old Rachelle Desrochers, who was reported missing last month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Desrochers was last seen on March 14 at the McDonald's on Elgin Street, according to an Ottawa Police Service release last month. On Sunday, the OPS said they have charged a man in relation to her death. Joshua Blair, 35, was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body. Police said he appeared in court on Sunday. 'While the remains of Rachelle Desrochers have not yet been recovered, investigators have reason to believe she was killed and that her body may be located in a local landfill, where search efforts are ongoing,' police said in a release. Police said the murder is considered a femicide. The OPS defines a femicide as the intentional killing of women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender women and gender non-conforming individuals because of their gender. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. These murders are overwhelmingly committed by men, police said. 'OPS names femicide as part of its commitment to ongoing efforts to improve their response to Violence against Women (VAW) and to prevent femicide and commits to ongoing collaboration with the VAW sector. 'Identifying and naming instances of femicide in Ottawa is critical to the development of more nuanced prevention initiatives and more accurate documentation of this form of violence,' the police said in an emailed statement on Sunday morning. This is Ottawa's ninth homicide and third femicide this year to date. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 ext. 5493 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Opinion Toronto Blue Jays Canada World Editorial Cartoons
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder in missing woman's homicide
Police are searching an Ottawa landfill for the body of a missing woman and have charged a 35-year-old man with second-degree murder in relation to her death, according to the Ottawa Police Service. Rachelle Desrochers, 54, of Ottawa was last seen on March 14 on Elgin Street. Police reported Sunday that they have reason to believe she was killed and that her body may be in a local landfill. Search efforts there are ongoing but her remains have not been found, police said. The suspect, Joshua Blair from Ottawa, was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body and appeared in court on Sunday morning, said police. Police asked anyone with information about the case to contact the homicide unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5493. Police are considering the case a femicide.
CTV News
25-05-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa man charged with 2nd degree murder, indignity to a dead body in homicide of missing woman
Ottawa police "have reason to believe" that Rachelle Desrochers who went missing last March was killed. (Ottawa Police Service)
CBC
25-05-2025
- CBC
Man charged with murder in missing woman's homicide
Social Sharing Police are searching an Ottawa landfill for the body of a missing woman and have charged a 35-year-old man with second-degree murder in relation to her death, according to the Ottawa Police Service. Rachelle Desrochers, 54, of Ottawa was last seen on March 14 on Elgin Street. Police reported Sunday that they have reason to believe she was killed and that her body may be in a local landfill. Search efforts there are ongoing but her remains have not been found, police said. The suspect, Joshua Blair from Ottawa, was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body and appeared in court on Sunday morning, said police. Police asked anyone with information about the case to contact the homicide unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5493. Police are considering the case a femicide.
