Serial killers and true crime

Hamilton police have charged an alleged serial killer with the murders of two people and the random stabbings of three others last year.

Loujack Nougues Café, 25, of no fixed address, was arrested Friday in and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Laura Young, 37, was the first victim, found stabbed to death just after 9 a.m. dumped in a snowbank behind 116 Cathcart St. on Feb. 16. She was a well-known panhandler in the downtown, whose death sparked a community-organized vigil.

Her mom, Fay McPhail, said she was “smiling” and “happy” when police came to her home to share news of the arrest. But when she found out he is charged in four subsequent attacks she was horrified but not surprised her daughter’s alleged killer may have struck again.

McPhail calls Young her “angel.”

It was seven months after Young’s murder, on Sept 6., that George Washington Burnett, 82, was found lying in his bed, with a knife in his neck, at 55 Stirton St. His son David and concerned friends had come to check on him and found his body.

The next three attacks took place between Nov. 7 and Dec. 12, when three people were randomly stabbed on city streets. Police had been looking for a “random stabber” associated with all three incidents.

“I believe it’s probably a relief in our neighbourhood,” said Adam Bomberry of the arrest. Bomberry kept an eye on Burnett along with his wife Angel, bringing him food and doing his laundry.

“Every day I look across the street and think of my friend.”

A member of Burnett’s family reached by The Spectator did not recognize Café’s name.

The random stabbing caused widespread fear among many in central Hamilton, as police had warned residents to be vigilant.

Staff Sgt. Steve Hrab would not comment on how Café allegedly chose his victims.

Hrab said police continue to believe Burnett’s murder “wasn’t a random act.”

McPhail said her daughter didn’t know Café.

The arrest happened after police received new information in the last 48 hours, Hrab said.

Café briefly appeared by phone in a Hamilton courtroom Saturday morning. He spoke quickly and clearly, with no emotion, indicating that he understood the charges against him.

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