Niagara Regional Police have identified the human remains of a woman discovered during the demolition of a vacant home in Niagara Falls, Ontario, nearly three years ago, and are continuing their search for the person responsible for her death. The victim has been identified as Brenda Marie LeBlanc, and investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide after years of forensic investigation.
LeBlanc’s remains were discovered in November 2023 inside a former rental property on Stanley Avenue during demolition work. Police believe the remains had been concealed inside the home for decades, with forensic evidence indicating she likely died in the mid-1990s. The property had reportedly been used as a rental residence for many years before becoming vacant.
The breakthrough came after investigators used investigative genetic genealogy, a technique that combines DNA analysis with family history research to identify unidentified victims. Niagara Regional Police worked alongside the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, Toronto Police Service, and a specialized DNA laboratory in the United States to confirm LeBlanc’s identity after conventional investigative methods failed to produce results.
Investigators said Brenda Marie LeBlanc was born in 1963 and had lived in New Brunswick, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls. Detectives are now trying to piece together her final movements, identify the people she associated with, and determine how she ended up at the Stanley Avenue property. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death or the exact circumstances surrounding the killing, citing the ongoing investigation.
Police say no arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly identified. Detectives are continuing to review forensic evidence, witness statements, and historical records in an effort to solve the decades-old case. They believe someone may still have crucial information that could help identify the killer, even if the events occurred many years ago.
Niagara Regional Police are urging anyone who knew Brenda Marie LeBlanc, had contact with her during the 1990s, or has information about the Stanley Avenue property or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance to come forward. Investigators say even the smallest detail could prove vital in solving the homicide and finally bringing justice to the victim and her family.