Update: Victim identified – OPP investigating homicide in North Frontenac
Editorial note: This article has been updated since it was originally published on Sunday, Jul. 30. 2023, at 12:52 p.m. Please see bottom of article for latest updates.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say they have arrested and charged two people with second degree murder in the death of a 22-year-old near Bishop Lake, in North Frontenac.
According to OPP, members of the Frontenac County Detachment first responded to a disturbance call shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jul. 29, 2023. Frontenac Paramedics also responded, OPP said, but the 22-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Officers on scene arrested Cory Finch, 39-years-old of Marmora, ON, and Michelle Lee Finch, 41-years-old of Stone Mills Township. Both are charged with Second Degree Murder, contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code,” OPP said.
The victim’s identity has not been confirmed by OPP, nor whether the victim and suspects knew each other.
OPP assured the public that there is no threat to public safety following this incident.
“The accused persons will be held in custody pending a bail hearing. Further information will be released as it becomes available,” OPP said.
“The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Frontenac OPP Crime Unit and OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS),” OPP continued.
“If anyone has information regarding the investigation, they are asked to call the Frontenac OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.”
Update (Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at 10:15 a.m.):
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have now identified the victim in a homicide that occurred in North Frontenac Township over the past weekend, a relative of two individuals accused in the case.
According to police, officers with the Frontenac County Detachment of the OPP attended the area of Bishop Lake on the evening of Saturday, Jul. 30, 2023, after receiving a call regarding a disturbance at the address. Bishop Lake is located just south of Cloyne in North Frontenac Township.
Joined by crews with Frontenac Paramedics, the emergency responders arrived at the location at approximately 6:30 p.m., however, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, the OPP said. Police on scene arrested 39-year-old Cory Finch of Marmora and 41-year-old Michelle Lee Finch of Stone Mills Township. Both individuals have been charged with second degree murder.
On Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, the OPP identified of the victim as Tyler Webber, a 22-year-old from Cambellford. In response to inquiries from Kingstonist, the OPP disclosed that Weber is a relative of both of the accused individuals.
Asked what caused the victim’s death, Acting Sergeant Erin Cranton, Media Coordinator for the East Region OPP, said no weapons were involved in the incident.
“All other details are part of the ongoing investigation,” Cranton said.
Police underscored that there is no threat to public safety in association with this incident. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Frontenac OPP Crime Unit and OPP Forensic Identification Services, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the Frontenac OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at Crimestoppers.ca.
Kingstonist will continue to provide updates on this investigation as more information becomes available.