DiscoverDark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History
Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

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True crime, legends, folklore, dark history and other creepy topics from the perspective of real live Canadians.

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In the summer of 2006, a young Calgary woman was on top of the world. She had a supportive family, amazing friends and a great job. But life as she knew it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the night on August 6, 2006. In this episode, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details of a violent attack- a story that’s every woman’s worst fear. www.calgarycrimestoppers.org - reference case # 06274598 https://newsroom.calgary.ca/sexual-assault-case-from-2006-has-new-lead/ Contact: Instagram: @nancy.hixt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/ Email: nancy.hixt@globalnews.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 310: On October 21, 2021, a tragic accident occurred on the set of the low-budget old-west movie Rust, filmed on a New Mexico ranch. Wife, mother and Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot, and writer/director Joel Souza, 48, was injured. It was the lead actor and producer, Alec Baldwin, who was holding the prop gun that killed Hutchins and wounded Souza. Somehow, it contained a live round. Investigations also revealed other live rounds on set, which is never supposed to happen. Baldwin and the film’s inexperienced armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Dave Halls, 63, serving as the first assistant director on the film, entered a no-contest plea in accordance with a deal made with prosecutors, accepting responsibility for the misdemeanour offence of negligent use of a deadly weapon linked to the death of Halyna Hutchins. Numerous civil suits have also been filed, with accusations of negligence being levelled against several parties, including the production company itself, Hannah Gutierrez and actor Alec Baldwin. In this first of two parts, you will learn about the tragic trail of events leading up to the shooting. Sources: Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting: A timeline of events in Halyna Hutchins' death | CBS News Rust shooting incident Rust shooting ‘43rd fatal incident on US film set since 1990’ Film set fatalities rise in last decade as production booms On-set deaths from prop guns are rare — but not unheard of Safety for Sarah Directors Guild of Canada Safety Bulletins – Contract Services 01_safety_bltn_firearms 02_safety_bltn_live_ammunition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 309: In Mike's first book, Murder, Madness and Mayhem, he wrote about an unknown man whose body was found on Somerton Park beach near Adelaide, Australia, by two trainee jockeys who’d been out with their horses on the morning of December 1, 1948. Lying in peaceful repose, the man wore a suit, overdressed for the warm Australian summer, and had no wallet or identification. He was unknown to anyone locally. The labels of his clothing had been ripped out.  Some enigmatic leads proved fruitless, including the discovery of a book, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, believed to have belonged to the stranger. In that book, what appeared to be coded writing was found. Experts have yet to decrypt the supposed message. Some believe the man was a spy, possibly murdered for what he knew. Called by many Somerton Man, the stranger's identity has remained unknown for decades until recently, when two separate groups came forward claiming they had information about who he was, leading to further speculation and even more questions. Sources: Murder Madness and Mayhem by Mike Browne The Unknown Man by Gerald Feltus Archived Newspaper Articles | Trove Final Report/Thesis 2015 - Derek Abbott Code Cracking: Who Murdered the Somerton Man | Prof. Derek Abbott How to Solve Ciphers Cryptography Hints 2602UMSAU — The Doe Network ‘Truth to come out’: Fresh claims emerge on Somerton Man Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 308: Kimberly Lynn Hallgarth was the 33-year-old mother of one and involved with former CFL football player Joshua Joseph Boden when. she was found brutally murdered at her residence in Burnaby, British Columbia, in March 2009. Her death was covered extensively in the media due to its connection with Boden, who had a long history of legal entanglements and was the main suspect in her killing. After years of awaiting a resolution, Kimberly’s family finally got a whiff of justice, when in 2018, Boden was charged with her murder. There had been a witness to the crime, and she was willing to testify. Sources: Kimberly Hallgarth (1975-2009) CSO - Search Traffic/Criminal By Participant Name Josh Boden | Global News, Videos & Articles 2011 BCPC 366 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII 2012 BCPC 331 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII 2014 BCSC 66 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII 2021 BCSC 79 (CanLII) | R. v Boden | CanLII 2024 BCCA 6 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII The Province 15 Aug 2008, page 19 The Province 17 Mar 2009, page 7 The Vancouver Sun 25 Sep 2009, page 4 The Vancouver Sun 03 Oct 2009, page 7 The Vancouver Sun 25 Sep 2009, page 4 The Vancouver Sun 05 Aug 2010, page 5 The Province 19 Dec 2010, page 12 The Province 05 Nov 2018, page A4 The Province 04 Nov 2020, page AS10 The Vancouver Sun 17 Jun 2022, page A7 St Vincent and the Grenadines — Government Murder of young mom still ‘unfathomable’ Woman found dead in Burnaby worked as escort Police ID woman found dead in Burnaby home | CBC News Former BC Lion Josh Boden handed 14-year minimum sentence for ex-girlfriend’s murder The Province 14 Jan 2024, page A3 Ex-girlfriend to testify via CCTV against former BC Lion accused in Burnaby murder Former BC Lion Joshua Boden found guilty of second-degree murder Josh Boden trial: Key Crown witness breaks down in tears during cross-examination Witness testifies about football player's alleged deadly attack on former girlfriend Former B.C. Lion Josh Boden's murder of ex-girlfriend was 'horrific and brutal' Former BC Lions player killed ex-girlfriend in Burnaby for ruining football career: Crown Court upholds murder conviction for ex-B.C. Lion Joshua Boden | SportseNet Court dismisses appeal of former B.C. Lions player convicted of ex-girlfriend's murder Josh Boden football Statistics on StatsCrew.com Joshua (Josh) Joseph Boden | Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 307: On Friday, July 10th, 1970, around 7 a.m., near Ludlow, Maine, 45 kilometres from the border with Canada, the crew aboard a northbound Bangor & Aroostook Railway train noticed something lying on the tracks ahead. They thought at first it might be trash but reacted quickly regardless. Despite the immediate application of the brakes, the locomotive, towing 19 heavy boxcars, could not stop in time to avoid a collision. The objects on the tracks were sleeping bags containing three young males. All appeared to be in their teens or early twenties. The bodies were found without official identification, and among them, they carried just over 5 dollars in Canadian cash. After a very brief investigation, the Aroostook County Sheriff, Darrell Crandall, said he considered the deaths either accidental or a group suicide pact. The young men were soon identified as Kenny Novak (fifteen) and David Burrows (seventeen), both from Sydney River and Terry Burt (twenty) of Whitney Pier, in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It was discovered that they had hitchhiked to the location, but they were a long way from home. Their families initially had no idea why they would cross the border. There were no indications that any of the three were suicidal. Why were they there? If their deaths were accidental, how had they not heard the train approaching? And why would they have chosen to sleep on the train tracks? Information soon came to light that there may have been a darker reason for their journey, leading to speculation that the three might have been murdered and placed on the tracks to make their deaths appear accidental. Their families and friends are still looking for answers. Sources: The Standard 11 Jul 1970, page 1 Death Notices — The Bangor Daily News 13 Jul 1970, page 26 Biddeford-Saco Journal 13 Jul 1970, page 10 The Bangor Daily News 19 Jul 1970, page 34 Remembering a Mysterious Summer of '70 Tragedy by Ken Jessome Who Killed the Three Cape Breton Boys on the Tracks? by Ken Jessome “An Unfortunate Mishap": Three Cape Breton Deaths by Ken Jessome "Sleeping Victims": A Cape Breton True Crime Story? By Ken Jessome QUEST FOR JUSTICE: The Cape Breton 3 (Interview with Lorne Novak) Cape Breton Three: The Boys on the Tracks — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime The Three Cape Breton Boys on the Tracks — Nighttime Podcast S1 E2 The Cape Breton Boys on the Track — Locating the Lost Federal Railroad Administration Rail-HwyGXing_Accidents-- DEC. 31, 1972 The Mysterious Deaths of Don Henry & Kevin Ives - Unsolved Mysteries SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS: the 1970 deaths of 3 Cape Breton Youth in Maine | Facebook Aroostook County Murder Mystery | Facebook Ingonish Beach and Freshwater Lake – Cape Breton Highlands National Park | Tourism Nova Scotia, Canada Petition to Re-Open the Investigation — Change.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 306: This week, we discuss the shooting death of American Mark Harshbarger during a 2006 hunting trip to Newfoundland. The Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, man was shot by his wife, Mary Beth Harshbarger, who claims she thought he was a black bear. In 2010, Harshbarger was extradited to Newfoundland, where she stood trial for criminal negligence causing death. The prosecution cited insurance money as Mary Beth’s motive for the killing. After two weeks of hearings in September, the presiding judge found her not guilty.  The shooting death of Mark Harshbarger has been a source of controversy since it occurred. Some people believe that Mary Beth Harshbarger was guilty of first-degree murder, while others believe that she was justified in shooting her husband because she thought he was a bear. It is important to remember that this topic is very sensitive for many people. The family and friends of Mark Harshbarger are still grieving his death, and Mary Beth Harshbarger has gone through a great deal. Mark’s children have lost their father. We aim to be respectful of all parties involved when discussing this case. Sources: Hunting | The Canadian Encyclopedia Fur Trade in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia Town of Buchans Newfoundland & Labrador Guide describes fatal shot in U.S. hunter's trial | CBC News Official Newfoundland Hunter Safety Course | HunterCourse.com Inside The Harshbarger Family Case | CBC — True Crime Canada Public Advisory: 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Guide Available Online - News Releases Regulation Summaries - 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Guide Mark Harshbarger (1963-2006) | Find-a-Grave 2010 NLTD 152 (CanLII) | R. v. Harshbarger | CanLII Another Fine Day Afield | Outdoor Canada Extradition looms for hunter who shot husband | Outdoor Canada Harshbarger's father speaks out about widow's upcoming shooting trial - News - The Times-Tribune Judge throws out PFA order that had been lodged against Mary Beth Harshbarger - News - Daily Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 305: Joseph LaPage, a French-Canadian rapist and necrophile known as the French Monster, was tried and hung in 1878 for the brutal, sexually motivated murder of Josie A. Langmaid, 17, in Pembroke, New Hampshire, in 1875. LaPage was also the sole suspect in the 1874 murder of Marietta N. Ball, a girl from St. Albans, Vermont. He was arrested for that crime; however, insufficient evidence prevented a trial, but the night before his execution, LaPage confessed to Marietta’s murder. Only weeks after LaPage was hanged, two more murders perpetrated in 1867, that of Mrs. George Fountie and her 16-year-old daughter, Minnie, from Saint-Alexandre, Quebec, were also tied to LaPage. It is believed that Joseph LaPage, with a long history of violent behaviour, is one of Canada’s earliest misogynistic serial killers, predating even Jack the Ripper. Sources: 1878: Joseph LaPage, murderer of Josie Langmaid Joseph LaPage | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers Josie Langmaid-"The Murdered Maiden Student" The Trial of Joseph LaPage | CURIOSity Digital Collections The East Hill Murder (Marietta Ball, Part 1) The Suncook Town Tragedy (Marietta Ball, Part 2) Marietta Ball | Obscure Vermont Marietta N Ball (1854-1874) Josephine Ann “Josie” Langmaid (1857-1875) - Find... Josie Langmaid Monument The Murdered Maiden Student : A Tribute to the Memory of Miss Josie A. Langmaid by Rev. S. C. Keeler on James E. Arsenault & Company How a Clairvoyant Caught Josie Langmaid's Murderer in 1875 The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, March 16, 1878 Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, March 20, 1878 St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, March 22, 1878 Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, March 22, 1878 The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, April 09, 1878 Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, April 09, 1878 The Boston Globe 09 Apr 1878 Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, March 23, 1878 Cold North Killers: Canadian Serial Murder SuncookTragedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 304: On the morning of July 11, 1996, police were called to the parking lot of a hotel under construction off Interstate 40 at 7471 Crosswood Boulevard in Knoxville, Tennesee. There, they found the body of a man, later identified as Robert Dennis Blair Adams, 31, a Canadian citizen from Surrey, B.C. Family and friends called him Blair. Scattered around his body were personal items belonging to Blair and almost $4000 in various currencies, including Canadian, American, and German money. A black fanny pack near Blair’s body was found to be filled with nearly 5 ounces of gold bars, as well as gold and platinum coins and jewelry. It was later determined that Blair had been beaten and left to die in the parking lot where he was discovered. It is unclear why Blair was in Tennessee, thousands of kilometres from home and in another country. His family later said Blair had been acting strangely and was suffering from insomnia. He told them he believed people were after him and wanted him dead. He had quit his job, emptied his bank account and safety deposit box and left home for good only two days before his body’s discovery. As Blair’s significant amount of cash and valuables lay untouched, the motive for his murder remains a mystery, as does the identity of his killer or killers. Sources: Half-nude with fanny pack of gold, Canadian's killing a Knox County mystery decades later Septemmber 11, 2017 | Knoxville News Sentinel | Wayback Machine Investigations – Cold Case – Homicides – Knox County Sheriff Website Investigations – Cold Case – Homicide – Robert Dennis Blair Adams – Knox County Sheriff Website Who killed a Canadian in Knox County but left his gold untouched? Blair Adams - Unsolved Mysteries Robert Dennis Blair Adams (1964-1996) - Find a... From the UnresolvedMysteries community on Reddit: The Mysterious Death of Blair Adams The Murder Of Blair Adams — And Why It Remains Unsolved Today CRIME HUNTER: Death far from home Appalachian Unsolved: Cross-country trip ends in Canadian's mysterious death in Knoxville Unexplained: The Story Of Blair Adam's Bizzarre Death Robert Dennis Blair Adams | Fact# 16244 | FactRepublic.com DOUBLE 'S' CEDAR HOMES Robert Dennis Blair Adams (1964-1996) - Find a Grave Memorial Blair Adams: A Bizarre Unsolved Mystery - Historic Mysteries From the UnresolvedMysteries community on Reddit: I think I might be able to explain the Blair Adams case with personal experiences The Continuum of Addiction and the Addictive Personality | Psychology Today Part 1: The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness | National Institute on Drug Abuse Dry Drunk Syndrome: What Is It and Are You Experiencing It? | CCFA Dry Drunk Syndrome in Alcoholics - Shanti Ranganatha, 1985 The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Brian Carr Update: ‘A long 35 years’: Murder charge laid in Canadian cold case thanks to genetic genealogy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 303: The Chowchilla school bus hijacking and kidnapping, a notorious case that occurred in 1976, involved the abduction of a school bus carrying 26 children, nineteen girls and seven boys, ages 5 to 14, and their driver, Frank Edward ‘Ed’ Ray, who was 55. It was orchestrated by three young men from affluent families — brothers Richard Schoenfeld, 22, James Schoenfeld, 24, and their friend Frederick Newhall Woods IV, also twenty-four. The crime was motivated by a desire for ransom money and as a cure for their boredom. The kidnappers hid the bus and took its occupants to a buried truck trailer in a quarry in Livermore, California, intending to demand $5 million for their release. Remarkably, led by Ed Ray and Michael Marshall, 14, one of the older children, the victims managed to escape without any ransom being paid. Even though they all made it out alive, the victims suffered psychological scars that changed their lives and persist to the present day. This was the largest kidnapping in U.S. history, and it has a Canadian connection. After their hostages escaped, all three kidnappers went into hiding but were eventually apprehended and convicted, although one of the suspects, the mastermind behind the kidnapping, Frederick Woods, fled to Vancouver, British Columbia, before being arrested by the RCMP. Sources: Kidnapped! At Chowchilla — The School Bus Hijacking by Gail Miller and Sandra Thompkins Oroville Mercury Register 16 Jul 1976, page 1 The San Francisco Examiner 16 Jul 1976, page 3 The Fresno Bee 16 Jul 1976, page 25 ‘Major Break’ Expected in Mass Abduction (Published 1976) The Province 23 Jul 1976, page 1 The Vancouver Sun 30 Jul 1976, page 1 Merced Sun-Star 07 Aug 1976, page 1 Merced Sun-Star 07 Aug 1976, page 9 Chowchilla bus kidnapping: Rare photos from one of the largest abductions in U.S. history Chowchilla bus kidnapping survivor's lifelong fight to keep her captors behind bars Chowchilla bus kidnapper released from prison Chowchilla nightmares / 25 years later, kidnap victims still struggling to forget past Chowchilla bus kidnapping survivor's lifelong fight to keep her captors behind bars James Schoenfeld: Chowchilla Bus Kidnapper Paroled Almost 40 Years Later Chowchilla school bus kidnap victims file lawsuit 40 years after abduction Children of Chowchilla: a study of psychic trauma - PubMed The ballad of the Chowchilla bus kidnapping New Documentary Examines Kidnapping of School Bus Full of Children — and How They Miraculously Escaped Edward Ray - A Local Hero | Chowchilla, CA 1976 Bus Kidnapping | Chowchilla, CA Edward Ray Day in Chowchilla EDWARD... - City of Chowchilla, California (Government) Kent Morrill - Ballad Of Chowchilla Ray (1976 Bardel Records) Ballad Of Chowchilla Ray | Robert Goulet Survivors of Chowchilla kidnapping break silence in new documentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 302: On April 25, 1978, RCMP Constable Thomas (Brian) King, a 40-year-old father of three, pulled over a vehicle for a minor traffic offence at 12:35 AM on Highway 11, roughly a quarter mile (400 metres) north of the Saskatoon city boundary. Inside the car were two young men: 18-year-old Darrell Luke Crook and 19-year-old Gregory Michael Fischer. The pair had intentionally disabled the vehicle’s tail light to draw the attention of law enforcement. As the unsuspecting officer was checking Fisher’s driver’s licence, the two men overpowered, disarmed and manacled him with his service handcuffs.  The pair then forced the officer into their car and drove into Saskatoon, where they showed him off to friends. Afterward, Crook and Fisher drove to a secluded spot near the Saskatchewan River, where they beat and tortured the helpless constable. Then, they executed Brian King with his service revolver, shooting him twice and throwing his body into the river. Sources: A History of Winnipegosis RCMP Depot Division Royal Canadian Mounted Police Issues The Dark Side of the RCMP Star-Phoenix 25 Apr 1978, page 1 Star-Phoenix 27 Apr 1978, page 3 Star-Phoenix 27 Apr 1978, page 24 The Leader-Post 29 Apr 1978, page 1 Star-Phoenix 01 May 1978, page 3 1979 CanLII 2274 (SK CA) | R. v. Crook | CanLII 1980 CanLII 2130 (SK CA) | Radvanski v. Radwanski | CanLII 1991 ABCA 148 (CanLII) | R. v. Fischer | CanLII Faint Hope: Background Constable Thomas Brian King | Canadian War Memorial Thomas (Brian) King (1938-1978) | Find a Grave CBC News - Canada - In the line of duty: Deaths of RCMP officers CONSTA... - RCMP Quarterly / La Trimestrielle de la GRC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 301: In episode thirteen of Dark Poutine, we covered the Babes in the Woods case, a tragic and long-unsolved mystery from Vancouver. In 1953, the skeletal remains of two children were discovered in Stanley Park, one of Vancouver's largest urban parks. What made this case, particularly haunting was that the children were found with a hatchet that appeared to have been used to end their lives. The identities of the two children remained unknown for almost 70 years until, in 2022, using DNA genealogy, the Vancouver Police were able to identify the boys believed to have died sometime in 1947. They were seven-year-old Derek and six-year-old David D'Alton. Their mother, Eileen Bousquet, who died in 1996, told relatives at the time that social services had taken the boys as she was unable to care for them. No one knows for sure what happened leading up to their deaths, and as so much time has passed, it is doubtful we ever will. At least they have their names back. Sources: Stanley Park — City of Vancouver Murder, Mystery and Intrigue in Review: Babes in the Woods 166: Hate Crime: The Murder of Aaron Webster – Dark Poutine – True Crime & Dark History Six Officers Plead Guilty To Stanley Park Beatings 2004 BCPC 1 (CanLII) | R. v. Cronmiller | CanLII Unsolved Stanley Park ‘Babes in the Woods’ case still haunts a city Interview with Brian Honeybourn 69UMBC — The Doe Network 68UMBC — The Doe Network VPD hopes genealogical testing can help solve cold case - Vancouver Police Department VPD identifies child victims in historic cold case murder - Vancouver Police Department Babes in the Woods: Vancouver police release identities, details about historic murders - VIA Identities of Stanley Park Babes in the Woods revealed almost 70 years later Who were the Babes in the Woods? Eileen Bousquet Archives — evelazarus.com Cold Case BC by Eve Lazarus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As this is bonus content related to episode 300, we don’t have the usual show open. There are no loons. There’s no music. There’s no Mathew here for this. This episode is dedicated entirely to Daniel Jordan Levesque's memory and features my recent conversation with his mother, Stacey Thur, from her home in Revelstoke. B.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 300: In June 2011, twenty-year-old musician Daniel Jordan Levesque moved from his family home in Revelstoke, B.C., to Victoria, full of dreams to start a new life and advance his burgeoning musical career. On June 15, seeking work, Daniel went to a 7-Eleven store, where he met Joshua Tyler Bredo, the store’s Assistant Manager, who hired Daniel on the spot. Bredo presented himself as a good guy, a helpful friend, but in truth, he quickly became obsessed with Daniel sexually with nefarious motives in mind. Bredo began grooming Daniel, lying to him with promises of a more lavish lifestyle, plying him with drugs and alcohol while telling Daniel he saw him as a “little brother.” The coercion and lies continued until August 3, when Bredo lured Daniel to his apartment under the promise of an interview for Daniel at a non-existent law firm. It was there that Bredo killed Daniel and set up a scene to make it appear to be self-defence, later calling 911. Bredo was arrested that night and charged with Daniel’s murder. However, the case was not put to rest until after a mistrial in 2015, numerous other delays and a guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter in 2017. Sources: 2016 BCSC 1843 (CanLII) | R. v Bredo | CanLII 2016 BCSC 2580 (CanLII) | R. v Bredo | CanLII 2016 BCSC 2701 (CanLII) | R. v Bredo | CanLII 2017 BCSC 2134 (CanLII) | R. v Bredo | CanLII Musician lured with lies, then killed; ‘Let me go. Just let me go.’ B.C. man in prison for killing friend with hammer released early ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!! For all of ... Stacey Thur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 299: In this episode, we explore a dark chapter of Winnipeg's criminal history, centred on the "Yuletide Bandit," notorious for his holiday-season robberies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Michael David Syrnyk, known for targeting banks and armoured vehicles, executed his crimes with a reckless disregard for human life, often using firearms and viewing his victims merely as obstacles. His choice of the festive season for these heists added a cruel irony to his crimes, starkly contrasting with the spirit of joy and family. One notable incident was a shootout at Winnipeg’s Polo Park Mall, causing terror among Christmas shoppers. The dramatic end to his criminal spree came with a 12-hour standoff involving a former girlfriend, leading to his capture. This episode not only recounts Syrnyk's heinous acts but also underscores the lasting impact of his crimes on the victims and the broader community in Winnipeg. Dark Poutine will return on January 8th, 2024, ad-free on Amazon Music and in our regular feed on January 15. Sources: NATIONAL REPORT Gunfight at Winnipeg mall has shoppers ducking Red Deer Advocate 13 Dec 2000, page 14 The Winnipeg Sun 05 May 2002, page 3 The Winnipeg Sun 08 May 2002, page 1 23 years in the nick for Yuletide Bandit Waterloo Region Record 26 Dec 2002, page 5 North Bay Nugget 18 Dec 2002, page 9 The Kingston Whig-Standard 26 Dec 2002, page 48 The unlikely suspect in hostage-taking had hidden arsenal Hostage | 72 Hours S01E14 | True Crime "72 Hours: True Crime" Hostage — s01e14 | Documentary, Crime| Michael Syrnyk | News, Videos & Articles | Global News Apr 2016: Winnipeg's notorious 'Yuletide Bandit' makes first appearance before the parole board 'I could be dead': Security guard shot by 'Yuletide Bandit' frustrated by early parole | CBC News Michael Syrnyk was released from prison on Friday | CBC News The Yuletide Bandit: The Seven Year Search for a Serial Criminal by Mike McIntyre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 298: Last week, we learned how Chinese immigrants have significantly contributed to Western Canada's development since 1788, playing critical roles in trade, gold rushes, and railway construction. Despite their contributions, they faced severe discrimination and exploitation, particularly during the railway construction in the early 1900s. Post-railway completion, they suffered rights losses and were subject to a prohibitive head tax, escalating to $500, which failed to deter immigration. Enduring nativist racism and accusations of moral and social threats, their plight culminated in the dark chapter of Canadian history on July 1, 1923, as the Chinese Exclusion Act came into law. Sources: Federal Exclusion Act - Province of British Columbia Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Chinese Head Tax in Canada (Plain-Language Summary) 1872 - Indigenous and Chinese Peoples Excluded from the Vote When Chinese in Canada Were Numbered, Interrogated, Excluded What was the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada? 3 things you might not know - Beyond Chinese Immigration records – Library and Archives Canada Blog Douglas Jung The Chinese head tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act | CMHR  Formal apology to Chinese Canadians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 297: The history of Chinese immigration to Canada is a story marked by adversity. Chinese labourers played a pivotal role in building the Canadian railway under harsh conditions, yet faced institutional discrimination, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, which limited immigration and separated families for years. Despite these challenges, the Chinese community's resilience has left an indelible mark on Canadian culture. Today, we honour their contributions and recognize the need to confront our history's shadows, striving for a more inclusive Canadian identity that values people of all backgrounds. Sources: Was 'old-stock Canadians' coded language — or a simple screw-up? | CBC News 1872 - Indigenous and Chinese Peoples Excluded from the Vote The Fraser River Gold Rush and the Founding of British Columbia Chinese Head Tax in Canada (Plain-Language Summary) Indigneous People Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Federal Exclusion Act - Province of British Columbia Sir John A. Macdonald – Dictionary of Canadian Biography Biography – CHU LAI – Volume XIII (1901-1910) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography Chinese Head tax: George Yee’s story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 296: On December 6, 1989, a tragic and profound event shook Canada and had a lasting impact. That evening, a gunman entered the École Polytechnique in Montreal, an engineering school affiliated with the Université de Montréal. This act of violence was specifically targeted against women, marking it as a horrific instance of gender-based violence. The attacker, motivated by his hatred for feminists whom he blamed for his personal and professional failures, embarked on a rampage through the school. The consequences were devastating — in less than 20 minutes, 14 young women lost their lives. They were: Anne-Marie Edward, Sonia Pelletier, Geneviève Bergeron, Maryse Leclair, Barbara Daigneault, Maud Haviernick, Michèle Richard, Anne-Marie Lemay, Annie Turcotte, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Annie St-Arneault, Maryse Laganière and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz. Also, ten more women and four men were injured before the cowardly gunman ended his own life. The event, later known as the École Polytechnique Massacre or the Montreal Massacre, left a deep scar on Canadian society. It led to increased awareness and action against gender-based violence, prompting changes in gun control laws and police procedures. The date, December 6, was subsequently declared the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, serving as a sombre reminder of the need to combat gender-based violence and discrimination. Sources: Polytechnique Montréal | Polytechnique Montréal est l’un des plus importants établissements d’enseignement et de recherche en génie au Canada Women in Engineering Women in scientific occupations in Canada 30 years later Nathalie Provost The Montreal Massacre — The Target — Crime Library on truTV.com Montreal_Coroners_Report Because They Were Women - The Montreal Massacre — Josée Boileau Aftermath — Monique Lepine Historical CBC Reports on the Massacre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 295: On the afternoon of December 20, 1974, a storekeeper in Calgary, Alberta, alerted the police about a customer, Philippe Laurier Gagnon, 26, who became aggressive after being denied the sale of airplane glue. The individual fled, and police pursued him to his residence two blocks away. When officers approached the suspect's residence, they were met with gunfire. Additional police, more than 130 officers, arrived to find the suspect armed with two rifles rifle in a garage. Gagnon refused to come out. A shootout ensued, resulting in the death of Detective Boyd Davidson, 43, after being shot in the neck. Six other officers were wounded by gunfire, and several others were injured.  After a military armoured car arrived, police gained the upper hand, smashed into the house and dislodged the gunman from his hideout. Gagnon, who had two rape convictions, a history of assault as well as a record of mental illness and drug abuse, also died at the scene in a hail of bullets as he charged at the officers.  Detective Davidson, a 23-year veteran of the police force and key figure in establishing the combined police and fire arson squad, left behind a wife and five children. His death and what was learned from the events led to the creation of the Calgary Police Service’s tactical team and changes to policing nationwide. Sources: Calgary Herald 21 Dec 1974, page 1 Edmonton Journal 24 Dec 1974, page 3 The Ottawa Journal 24 Dec 1974, page Page 2 The Vancouver Sun 28 Dec 1974, page 60 The Daily Herald-Tribune 30 Dec 1974, page 2 Black Friday: The day that changed policing in Canada Calgray Herald - 40 years ago Black Friday transformed Calgary policing Thugs, Thieves & Outlaws: A dark day for Calgary police Calgary Police Service | Facebook Tribute to fallen officers | Calgary Police About our Tactical Unit | Calgary Police Calgary's armoured rescue vehicle set to retire Calgary police unveil new armoured vehicle | CBC News Black Friday | YouthLinkYYC | YouTube PTSD among Police Officers: Impact on Critical Decision Making PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES Public Safety Personnel’s interpretations of potentially traumatic events Development of an Evidence-Informed Solution to Emotional Distress in Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers: The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion CommunitY (STEADY) Program Calgary Police Service officer joins somber list of members killed in line of duty - Calgary Driver in death of CPS officer sentenced to 12 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 294: On the evening of December 21, 1883, near Bloomfield, Ontario, visitor Peter Lazier was murdered by two intruders at the farmhouse of Quakers Gilbert and Margaret Jones. The community, deeply affected, quickly organized a search. They traced footprints in the snow, leading to Joseph Thomset and the Lowder family's homes near West Lake. By the next day, Joseph Thomset and brothers David and George Lowder were arrested and charged with murder. The legal process moved rapidly. The coroner's inquest began the next day, followed by formal proceedings within a week. The trial, held at the Prince Edward County Courthouse in Picton just five months later, suggested the motive was robbery, aimed at stealing the $555 Gilbert Jones earned from selling hops. George Lowder and Joseph Thomset were found guilty of murder and hanged in June of 1884. Many felt justice was served, but others believed the law got it wrong, acting hastily without sufficient evidence. Sources: Prince Edward County The Canadian Encyclopedia | Quakers The Lazier Murder: Prince Edward County, 1884 — Robert J. Sharpe The Kingston Whig-Standard 24 Dec 1883, page 2 Ottawa Daily Citizen 24 Dec 1883, page 1 Manitoba Weekly Free Press 15 May 1884, page 2 The Lazier murder trial of 1884 – did they get the right men? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 293: During the evening of Friday, October 13 and the early hours of October 14, 1978, a group of teens and young adults attended a gathering in a rural area of Maple Ridge, B.C. That night, 16-year-old Catherine Emma Pozzobon went missing from the event. Her partially clothed remains were discovered on the afternoon of October 15, not far from the location of the party. Investigations revealed the presence of seminal fluid in her mouth, throat, and on her clothing, as well as a tuft of human hair grasped in her hand. The case was treated as a homicide by law enforcement, but without adequate evidence to pinpoint a suspect, the inquiry was eventually suspended. Two decades later, in 1998, the case was reopened with the advancement of DNA profiling as a key tool for forensic investigation. Police tested the DNA profiles of the male party attendees against the evidence found on Cathy’s body, and there was a match. Twenty years after she was murdered, Cathy’s family finally saw justice. Sources: 2001 BCSC 597 (CanLII) | R. v. Larsen | CanLII OBITUARY: The Province 18 Oct 1978, page 38 Police Seek Clues: The Vancouver Sun 20 Oct 1978, page 6 No New Leads: Surrey Leader 01 Nov 1978, page 16 10 Suspects: Times Colonist 07 Nov 1978, page 14 Unsolved: The Vancouver Sun 18 Apr 1981, page 10 The Vancouver Sun 01 May 2001, page 11 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101800177/catherine-emma-pozzobon Maple Ridge — Official Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Comments (291)

PathD

I have to use another sign. PathD here Guys, I love history and especially about heroes that LIVE to get their rewards and the glory they deserve! Happy Anniversary my wonderful northern neighbor! I have been listening to the show almost from the very beginning!. You continue to be ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! As I endearingly say keep on!. Go sh!t in your hat!

Nov 6th
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Art 34

Liberal condescension and total lack of self awareness. Too many other options.

Aug 4th
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ID28405005

The episode on the Niagara Falls was incredible. Thank you. Best episode ever 🥰

Jun 7th
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Chris Melbourne

left wing non-sense.... Chinese people are some of the kindest, gentlest, and wisest people on the planet. Unfortunately, they are governed by some of the dirtiest and most dangerous people on the planet. The way they subjectify their people into subterfuge is the current largest danger to our safety. Until the good Chinese people find a way to separate themselves from their communist spy counterparts; it would be a mistake to welcome all Chinese with open arms. JT and sleepy Joe seem to be either oblivious to the threat or openly laying in some old school opium den. When the two of you are forced into a Chinese labor camp because we followed your lead. So, yes, you should digress.... It's my perception that your pacifist ideology and SJW virtue signaling will only aid our enemies in the downfall of society. By the way; I'm all for legalizing all substances for educated adult use. Yes, some drugs are dangerous, but we spend far too much time and money on laws and systems to prot

Apr 17th
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Lenora Thorium

It's Jim Jordan's dad!! 😳

Mar 24th
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An interested party

I truly enjoy your show and have been listening to you guys for years but you've got to knock off the sexual innuendos. It is beneath you both and it has absolutely nothing to do with your storytelling and it doesn't enhance it. it's offensive. I guess you could say if I don't like it I don't have to listen. but I would hope that you would consider my comment because as I said you put on a good show and it's always interesting and well presented with that exception mentioned above. thank you.

Mar 6th
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Barbara Kilman

https://youtu.be/sgWHrkDX35o This has been drummed into my head by my uncle Neville long before these guys. I agree don't give information ask for a lawyer

Feb 23rd
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An interested party

25 years is not life and concurrent is terrible. It should be consecutive. isn't that the way that goes where you serve one back to back instead of all together. That's three horrible murders and only 25 years!

Sep 19th
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Daniel Worby

the random 2 and a half minute gap at the 3-5:30 mark is very mysterious.... or something

Sep 13th
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Lenora Thorium

The only way to survive is to kill yourself? How ironic lol

Sep 4th
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Christopher Bell

I just started this podcast and loved it so much got through 150 episodes in a week or so and I just can't keep going with it. With out Scott its no where near is good. I will try a few more but its not looking good. Its a shame too cause this show was a hidden gem

Sep 1st
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Leeleigh246

you guys will probably never see this. but just hearing your voices gives me such a holsome feeling.

Jul 11th
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Rocky Mountain

re :Millar/Mylgard show. There was an eyewitness statement saying he stabbed her. That's why the police focused on him. Mylgard was in the legal system and literally in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once the other guys bio markers were found, it should have been looked at again though.

Jul 3rd
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Mr.gray

not bad

Jun 18th
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Kimica Z

Not all execution methods are equal in terms of associated pain. There's actually a great deal of difference between methods of execution and how humane they are. However, since the punishment is death, not suffering, we should strive to make it as painless as possible.

Jun 1st
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Sean Rosenau

So did the RCMP set up the people because of the Boston bombings? Fucking canadian cops trying to make themselves look good on OUR ACTUAL tragedy.

May 23rd
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Chelsea Lynn

Wow the police really failed in this investigation. They didn't even investigate. They had already made up their minds that it was an accident. They didn't look at the camera footage that probably would have solved this. They didn't collect evidence on the scene. They all need to be fired. Her poor family will probably never have closure because of the failures of the police.

May 4th
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R. Morrison

oh shut up and get on with it. 18 minutes in and it's just stupid facts about pirates 😂😂😂

Apr 18th
Reply

sarah cross

I love you guys (although I still miss Scott) but laughing while talking about the residential schools is totally inappropriate... cringe 🙁

Feb 19th
Reply

Chris Melbourne

Time to unsubscribe. I'm not going to be one of the people that complain about the hard work put into a free service. I will just walk away.

Jan 3rd
Reply (2)
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