Serial killers and true crime

OTTAWA – The hunt for human remains resumed Wednesday in a south-Ottawa neighbourhood as cops investigating accused serial killer Camille Cleroux began digging at a new location.

Police taped off an expansive wooded area bordering a playground on the same street where a construction crew discovered human remains on Oct. 31 in the backyard of a home Cleroux once lived in.

Police said the investigation into that grisly discovery led them to the new site across the road.

No human remains had been found so far, police said, but the dig is expected to continue at least until Friday.

Cleroux was charged with first-degree murder after the body of Paula Leclair, 64, was found in a wooded area in May 2010. Cleroux had moved into Leclair’s apartment and told her son that she had won the lottery and travelled to Mexico.

The following month he was also charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two other women: Jean Rock, 32; and Lise Roy, 27.

Roy, who was married to Cleroux, disappeared two decades ago; Rock, his common-law spouse, disappeared 13 years ago. Neither body has been found.

Area residents are shocked and worried another body could potentially be unearthed in their otherwise quiet neighbourhood, which is home to many families.

Jocelyne Mudenge was headed to work when she saw the heavy police presence at the park, and heard human remains may have been discovered.

“It’s scary to know that kind of thing could be happening in your backyard,” said Mudenge. “Murder? Serial killer? You see it on TV but you don’t think it could happen in real life.”

Esther Madzingo just moved into the area.

“It just makes me feel like I have to leave the neighbourhood,” she said. “I’m not safe here.”

An excavator was digging a large patch of grass among trees on Wednesday where investigators stopped to flag areas of interest.

“When we’re dealing with investigations like this, it’s one of the last opportunities for the truth to be told,” said Insp. Mike Callaghan. ” It’s very necessary for us to ensure that we’re doing everything that we can.”

Police again brought in archaeological experts to help with the dig. Any remains found will be forwarded to a forensic science centre in Toronto.

Police said this case has been flagged a top priority. Any identification could take weeks, or even months.

Video and article here.

Another Article Here.

One of the odd things about this case is that Cleroux killed people that he knew pretty well. Most serial killers don’t.