Nadine Gurzenski affair: the suspect identified 25 years later

Police have identified a man they believe is responsible for the death of a Toronto woman in her 20s found in a Niagara region ditch 25 years ago.

On May 8, 1999, Nadine Gurzenski, 26, was found in a roadside ditch in Lincoln, Ontario. His death was then considered a homicide by investigators.

Despite an extensive investigation, police were unable to identify any suspects.

The case remained unsolved until Thursday, when the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) announced in a news release that investigators had identified a suspect through investigative genetic genealogy.

Joseph “Raymond” Brousseau, a former resident of New Liskeard, Ontario. who died in 2017, reportedly faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with Gurzenski's death, police said in the release.

Brousseau, then 34, was a truck driver when Gurzenski was killed. Police said he “traveled extensively” across Canada and the United States for work. He also had ties to Quebec, they said.

Thursday's update included a statement from Gurzenski's family.

“We want to recognize that Nadine was an incredibly important member of our family. She meant more than a news headline,” wrote Gurzenski’s husband, Paul.

“She was a beautiful young woman inside and out, mother, wife and now grandmother who had her entire life ripped away from her and everyone who loved her. We will always ensure that his memory lives on forever,” he continued.

NRPS Deputy Chief Todd Waselovich thanked Gurzenski's family for their patience during the 25-year investigation.

“Thanks to the tireless work of detectives, we are able to provide some measure of closure to Nadine’s grieving family,” Waselovich said in the release.

“While nothing can ease their pain, the determination of our detectives is evident in identifying the person responsible for his murder. Investigations like these take a toll on our members, as they carry this weight with them in the pursuit of justice.

Niagara Police also acknowledged assistance from the Toronto Police Homicide and Cold Case Unit, the Center for Forensic Sciences, the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

“The contributions of these law enforcement partners were essential to the successful completion of this investigation,” the release said.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009060.