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UCF #104200076

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


Babes in the Woods
SOLVED

Babes in the Woods

Updated:

Update

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.

Pre-update

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

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