Reward Money Renewed on Four Outstanding Homicide Investigations
Reward Money was renewed on four outstanding homicide investigations by the Windsor Police Service Board. All with $10,000 for information resulting in the arrest and laying of a murder charge against the person(s) responsible for the murder in the respective cases.
Please take the time to review the cases below and share them in the community. If you have any information, even if believed to be insignificant, contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com
Check out our AM800 Crime of the Week here: https://tinyurl.com/y9bmqkjs
Unsolved Homicide Synopsis
Knight Homicide (1980)
On May 20, 1980 Mr. Ed Knight attended the WPS detective office and reported his son, 25 year old Kirk Knight, missing from 1737 Central. He reported his son had recently been assaulted by members of the Lobo's Motorcycle gang and was extremely concerned about his son's well-being. A citizen reported at the time that he observed three men in dark clothing drive up to the Knight residence in a 1972 green Nova. The men approached the residence and spoke with Kirk Knight. A short time later Kirk was forced into the rear of the vehicle. On May 22, 1980, detectives located the vehicle in Colchester South. Detectives believed the motive for the kidnapping was a recent feud between a believed motorcycle gang member and Kirk Knights brother. Police were also investigating a previous shooting of a believed gang member on May 16th, 1980, near the Seminole Tavern in which Kirk Knight’s brother was suspected of carrying out.
On May 25th, 1980, Kirk Knight’s body was pulled from the Detroit River near the old Rendezvous Tavern, 12010 Riverside E, by the WPS Marine Unit. His body was bound, restrained and anchored with cement blocks. The cause of death was drowning.
Persons of interest had been investigated at that time however investigators lacked crucial evidence and / or eye witness accounts that would lead to murder charges.
Sweet/Sweet Homicide (1982)
On September 13th, 1982, the badly decomposed bodies of Mrs. Marlene Sweet, 31, and her seven year old son, Jason, were discovered at their residence at 8671 Wyandotte E, Apt. 15. Post mortem results revealed that both were violently murdered and further investigation showed that they had been dead for approximately two weeks.
Persons of interest had been investigated at that time, however investigators lacked crucial evidence and / or eye witness accounts that would lead to murder charges. Investigators are currently exploring investigative strategies to employ in an attempt to gather further evidence.
Williamson/Rucker Homicide (2003)
On Thursday, February 27th, 2003, 30 year old Debilleanne 'Dee Dee' WILLIAMSON and her 5 yr old son Brandon 'Xavier' RUCKER were found deceased in their home at 1323 Tilston. They were the victims of homicide.
At the time of the murders the biological father of Xavier was serving time in a Florida prison. Debilleane was known by family and friends to frequent the United States and date men from both sides of the border.
Investigation resulted in several 'Persons of Interest' being identified. During the investigation, family, friends, neighbours, co-workers and associates were interviewed and re-interviewed. Several persons of interest were subjected to polygraph examination. Numerous Search warrants were obtained and executed. While there are a number of persons of interest who remain under investigation, to date no one has been identified as the person or persons responsible for this crime nor has an obvious motive emerged.
Investigators continue to maintain contact with Michigan Law enforcement agencies regarding persons of interest residing in the State of Michigan.
Topic Homicide (1971)
On Friday May 14th, 1971, between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, Ljubica TOPIC, 6 years old, and her brother Michael TOPIC, 8 years old, were playing outside of their family home at 1290 Drouillard Road, Windsor, Ontario. Shortly before 9:00 pm, a man who had been near the restaurant across the street to the west approached the children. He offered Ljubica a small sum of money to accompany him down the street. He then provided Michael with some change to go and ride his bike. Michael last saw his sister walking south on Drouillard holding the man’s hand.
The Police attended and a large scale search that included members of the community began to search for Ljubica. At approximately 1:00 am on May 15th, 1971, four hours after she was led away by the man, the body of Ljubica TOPIC was located, deceased, in the rear yard of 1690 Hickory Avenue a short distance from the gate to the rear alleyway (the alleyway no longer exists today). She had been violently assaulted. A large scale investigation into her murder began. The brutality of the case, coupled with the innocence of the victim prompted an impassioned response from the community at large with tips coming to Windsor from the United States and across Canada.
Hundreds of tips were provided and followed up on. Hundreds of people have been interviewed in relation to this case. Persons of interest continue to be investigated at this time however crucial evidence and/or eyewitness accounts are lacking that would lead to murder charges. The Windsor Police Service is requesting assistance in this matter from anyone who remembers the case from 1971.
Again, anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor Police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com
