Murder of former Windsorite solved after nearly 50 years by Alberta law enforcement
Melissa Rehorek, 20, was killed in September 1976 in Calgary.
Warning: Contains graphic content
Her death has been an unsolved murder until last Friday, when authorities identified the person they believe strangled her to death.
“No investigation, no matter how successful can undo the harm caused by crimes of this nature,” RCMP Superintendent David Hall said in a May 17 news conference. “The tireless dedication of all employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and our partners allows us to bring answers to the families of the four young women robbed of their futures.”
Police believe Gary Allen Srery is responsible for Rehorek’s murder, because of advancements in genetic testing.Gary Allen Srery is shown in supplied photos. (Supplied: RCMP)
DNA Advancements
In 1976, officers collected seminal fluid from Rehorek’s body even though the technology did not yet exist to identify the suspect.
By 2003, the technology had improved enough to create a profile for the DNA sample collected from Rehorek’ s body.
It was uploaded to a national databank but went 20 years without a positive hit.
In 2021, Alberta RCMP and Calgary Police Service formed a partnership to re-examine exhibits from cold cases using Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG).
“Genealogists from Convergence IGG were able to start building a family tree,” Hall said, which was in turn uploaded to consumer genetic databanks; used by people trying to track down long-lost family members.
That work created a ‘suspect hypothesis’ which officers used to advance their investigation into the United States.
Suspect located
They tracked the suspect to Idaho State Prison where they believed Srery was serving a life sentence for rape.
However, they discovered Srery died of natural causes in 2011.
With the help of Interpol and Idaho State Police, Srery’s DNA was a match for the sample collected from Rehorek’s body, according to Hall.
Police also matched his DNA to that of three other murders of young women, all killed in 1976 in Calgary.Left to right: Patricia (Patsy) McQueen, Eva Dvorak, Melissa Rehorek and Barbara MacLean are seen in supplied photos. (Supplied: RCMP)
If he was alive, police say Srery would be facing multiple charges including the first-degree murder of Melissa Rehorek.
Rehorek connection to Windsor
According to Alberta RCMP, Rehorek is originally from Windsor and she moved to Calgary in the spring of 1976.
CTV News was unable to locate any of her family members.
Here is the Rehorek family statement, given to Alberta RCMP.
“First, we would like to thank the team of investigators who have worked to find the person responsible for these crimes. Our message is one about Melissa being a fun loving, adventurous and hard-working person. She was an honest positive person who trusted people. She enjoyed travelling to Banff for her love of nature but also to travel for her curiosity about seeing Canada. Our family appreciates all of your help.”
Police say Rehorek was employed as a housekeeper at the time of her death and she had been living at the YMCA in downtown Calgary.
She was last seen on the evening of Sept. 15, 1976.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6937501.1719090117!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi wins Alberta NDP leadership
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi will replace Rachel Notley as the Alberta NDP leader after receiving 86 per cent of the vote on the first ballot.
Woman found dead alongside three relatives remembered as selfless, caring mother
A woman who was found dead alongside three of her family members at a home in rural southwestern Ontario this week is being remembered as a selfless, caring mother who worked tirelessly for her community.
Accessibility uproar after Olds, Alta., woman with cerebral palsy threatened with $5K fine for using mobility aid
An Olds, Alta., woman with accessibility issues is speaking out against the town after local bylaw officers informed her she would receive a $5,000 fine if she was caught using her mobility scooter on any street, sidewalk or pathway in town.
B.C. First Nations involved in salmon farming demand apology from William Shatner, Ryan Reynolds
A coalition of B.C. First Nations involved in open-net salmon farming have called on Canadian actors William Shatner and Ryan Reynolds to apologize for a profanity-laced video criticizing the wider industry.
OPINION If Dolly Parton can be cancelled, we're in serious trouble
The person most unlikely to be cancelled in U.S. history — iconic American singer, songwriter and actress, Dolly Parton — has been caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture.
Man trying to drown two children on Connecticut beach is stopped by officers, police say
A man trying to drown two small children at a Connecticut beach early Saturday morning was thwarted by police officers, according to authorities.
Vehicle involved in inter-provincial missing child investigation located in Saskatchewan
The vehicle which is believed to be involved in an inter-provincial missing child investigation has been located in Saskatchewan.
Toddler, 40-year-old identified as victims in deadly quadruple shooting in Vaughan, Ont.: police
A toddler and a 40-year-old were killed in a quadruple shooting at a Vaughan, Ont. residence Friday morning, as police announce an arrest in what they're describing as a 'targeted' incident.
'Happy Bday M8!': William meets Taylor Swift backstage at London show
Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to London’s Wembley Stadium on Friday with some famous faces in the audience, including the Prince of Wales and two of his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.