Sarnia police have announced a major breakthrough in a lengthy homicide investigation involving a 66-year-old woman.
Police have charged Joshua Tomlinson, 35, with first degree murder in the death of Sue Elin Lumsden.
Criminal Investigation Division Staff Sgt. Mike Kahnert said Tomlinson, who's from Sarnia, was also charged in the death of 62-year-old Allen Schairer in January.
"Tomlinson is now facing two first degree murder charges for both of these homicides and will remain in custody pending a bail hearing."
Lumsden was found dead at her home in the 200 block of Essex Street on January 23. Schairer was found dead at his home in the 500 block of Devine Street January 26.
Kahnert said as many residents are aware, the city had an unprecedented number of homicides in January.
"Four in total over a span of only three weeks, three of which were solved and those matters are currently before the courts."
On January 12, investigators arrested 32-year-old Timothy James Noj in relation to the murder of 26-year-old Luis Enrique Hernandez on Confederation Street January 9.
Days after the first homicide, officers responded to a report of a woman who sustained serious injuries at a home on Lee Court. The woman later succumbed to her injuries in hospital and a 45-year-old male, Joseph Dominic Dicarlo, was charged with first-degree murder.
Kahnert said the service is confident that these recent arrests and charges will bring some closure to family members of the victims as well as the community as a whole.
Tomlinson is scheduled to appear in court over video in regards to the Schairier investigation on July 23 and a court date regarding the Lumsden investigation is scheduled for September 13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei0UTVSSw9I