Family Still Seeks Answers 61 Years After P.E.I. Woman Vanished

Read The File
Unsupported Browser! This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
UCF #104200076

Genealogy Resolves Canada's 'Babes In The Woods' Case


Babes in the Woods
SOLVED

Babes in the Woods

Updated

Authorities believe they know who killed brothers Derek and David D'Alton, who are also known by the last name Bousquet. The killer, according to police officials, is believed to be a close relative who died about 25 years ago. CBC News reported that authorities believe the children's mother was likely their killer. The Vancouver Sun and true crime author Eve Lazarus have identified the boys' mother as Eileen Bousquet, who died in 1996 at the age of 78.

Vancouver, British Columbia — Vancouver's oldest unsolved murder case gets an update as two brothers are identified.

The skeletal remains of two children, now confirmed to be brothers David and Derek D'Alton, were found in the park in 1953 by a groundskeeper.

The man was clearing brush near Beaver Lake when he spotted the remains covered by a women's jacket. David and Derek were ages six and seven at the time of their death, investigators said in a press release.

"These murders have haunted generations of homicide investigators, and we are relieved to now give these children a name and to bring some closure to this horrific case," said Inspector Dale Weidman, commanding officer of the Vancouver Police Department's Major Crime Section.

"Although significant folklore has surrounded this case for years, we must not forget that these were real children who died a tragic and heartbreaking death."

David and Derek D'Alton, were found in the park in 1953 by a groundskeeper
David and Derek D'Alton, were found in the park in 1953 by a groundskeeper. Photo: Vancouver Police Department.

New information came to light in this cold case as investigators gathered a DNA sample from each of the boys' skulls and contacted a specialist forensics company in the U.S.

This company, Redgrave Research, was able to identify the maternal grandparents of the boys and constructed a family tree by comparing the victims' DNA to others who had voluntarily submitted DNA for genetic testing.

Police believe that David and Derek, who lived in Vancouver, were descendants of Russian immigrants who came to Canada at the start of the 20th Century.

They had a family member who lived near the entrance to Stanley Park at the time of their death. Police said that the boys' killer, was likely a close relative of theirs who died 25 years ago.

Inspector Weidman said that, at this stage, it's important to focus on identifying the bodies rather than who murdered them, as it was likely that the killer had died in the seven decades since the crime.

Jonathan Fowles

Jonathan Fowles

See more Case Files contributed by Jonathan Fowles.
Kara Lynn Clark
FEATURE
Kara Lynn Clark

Kara Lynn Clark was last seen leaving a residence in the area she was later found around 1 am. Authorities say her body had obvious signs of trauma but have not released a cause of death.
Featured for 27 days

I've walked lots of Winnipeg fairly late, even downtown core, etc. and not really had a trouble vs. the crime you're much more likely to be a victim of like getting window on car smashed / stuff stolen over night.

Make a donation
We Need Your Support!

Our work goes beyond data collection and is independent from Government and Institutional funding. Your support is critical in making this possible.

Murders In Windsor
POPULAR
Murders In Windsor

The 1980 murder of Kirk Knight; the 1982 murder of 31-year-old Marlene Sweet and her 7-year-old son Jason; the 2003 killings of 30-year-old Debilleanne "Dee Dee" Williamson and her son 5-year-old Brandon "Xavier" Rucker.
Windsor, Ontario

Subscribe

Do not miss a story!

Get notified for new unsolved cases


Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

News

Fourth Teen Charged With Second-Degree Murder In Connection With Halifax Student's Death 

Police say a fourth teenager has been charged in connection with the death of a student in Halifax last week.

Canada's Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested In P.E.I. In Connection With Toronto Homicide 

A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.