Who killed Erin Gilmour? ‘Dateline NBC’ Season 32 digs deeper into Toronto’s historic murder mystery
TORONTO, CANADA: Erin Gilmour was killed by Joseph George Sutherland, when in the heart of Toronto, on a fateful night in December 1983. Found brutally murdered in her Yorkville apartment, Erin's death sent shockwaves through the city, leaving her family and friends shattered by the senseless act of violence.
The heinous crime remained unsolved for nearly four decades, haunting those touched by Erin's light. However, in November 2022, justice took a significant step forward as Joseph George Sutherland, the individual responsible for Erin's murder, was sentenced in a downtown Toronto courtroom. This landmark decision marked the culmination of years of tireless pursuit for justice by Erin's loved ones, who never wavered in their determination to see her killer brought to account for his actions.
Just three months before Erin's murder, 45-year-old Susan Tice had fallen victim to Sutherland's hand. Susan Tice was also sexually abused and killed at her house in Toronto by the same man.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 Episode 37 delves into this gruesome case.
Who was Erin Gilmour?
Erin Gilmour was a 22-year-old aspiring fashion designer who lived in Toronto, Canada. She was the daughter of mining magnate David Gilmour. Erin's life was tragically cut short when she was brutally murdered on the night of December 20, 1983. She was found stabbed, strangled, and sexually assaulted in her apartment located in the Yorkville neighborhood of Toronto.
Erin's untimely death left a profound impact on her family and community, robbing them of a young woman with aspirations and dreams for the future. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, justice remained elusive for nearly four decades.
It wasn't until advances in DNA technology allowed investigators to link evidence from the crime scene to a suspect, Joseph George Sutherland, that progress was made. Sutherland, who had been living in Moosonee, Ontario, was arrested in November 2022 and charged with Erin's murder.
Throughout the years of uncertainty and waiting for justice, Erin's family, particularly her brother Sean McCowan, never gave up hope. They fought tirelessly for answers and closure, determined to see the perpetrator brought to justice.
How did George Sutherland kill Erin Gilmour?
George Sutherland committed a heinous act of violence against Erin Gilmour on the night of December 20, 1983. He gained entry into her apartment in Toronto's Yorkville neighborhood and subjected her to a horrifying ordeal. Sutherland stabbed her, strangled her, and sexually assaulted her. This brutal and senseless attack resulted in the tragic loss of Erin's life at the age of just 22.
Why did Erin Gilmour case take 40 years to get justice?
The case of Erin Gilmour's murder remained unsolved for nearly four decades due to various factors, including limitations in forensic technology and investigative techniques at the time of the crime. Additionally, the perpetrator, George Sutherland, managed to evade suspicion and detection by law enforcement for many years.
After Erin's tragic murder in 1983, investigators faced significant challenges in gathering evidence and identifying potential suspects. The forensic technology available at the time was not as advanced as it is today, making it difficult to analyze DNA evidence and trace the perpetrator. As a result, crucial leads went unnoticed, and the case remained unsolved.
Furthermore, Sutherland's ability to avoid detection contributed to the prolonged delay in achieving justice for Erin. Despite living near the crime scene at the time of the murder, Sutherland managed to evade suspicion and scrutiny from law enforcement. He did not come under suspicion or face questioning from authorities, allowing him to continue living his life without consequence for his heinous actions.
It wasn't until advancements in DNA technology and investigative techniques emerged decades later that authorities were able to make significant progress in the case. Genetic genealogy technology, in particular, played a crucial role in linking Sutherland to the crime scene evidence, ultimately leading to his arrest and conviction.
How did the police identify Joseph George Sutherland as killer?
The breakthrough in the decades-old case of Erin Gilmour and Susan Tice's murders came through advancements in DNA technology and the meticulous work of investigators. The initial key piece of evidence was DNA retrieved from one of the crime scenes, which pointed to a member of the Sutherland family, a Cree family residing in northern Ontario. With five boys in the family, police faced the daunting task of narrowing down the suspect.
In 2000, police made a significant development when they linked the cases, recognizing the similarities between the two murders. However, with the limitations of DNA technology at the time, this connection only went so far, and the case remained unsolved for years.
It wasn't until the advent of scientific advancements in DNA analysis and the utilization of online family tree websites that investigators experienced a breakthrough. By leveraging investigative genetic genealogy, a technique that involves uploading crime scene DNA to public DNA family tree databases to identify potential relatives of the suspect, investigators were able to narrow down the list of suspects to a particular family.
The investigative process involved painstakingly tracing the familial connections and identifying potential suspects based on the genetic information obtained. Through extensive research and analysis, investigators honed in on Joseph George Sutherland as a potential perpetrator of the heinous crimes. Subsequently, armed with this crucial lead, investigators served Sutherland with a DNA warrant to obtain a sample for comparison with the DNA evidence recovered from the crime scenes. The tests confirmed the match, providing compelling evidence linking Sutherland to the murder of Gilmour.
Erin Gilmour’s brother Sean McCowan shares his thoughts after Joseph George Sutherland’s sentencing
Sean McCowan, Erin Gilmour's brother, expressed a mix of emotions following the sentencing of Joseph George Sutherland. In his statement, McCowan conveyed his satisfaction with the outcome of the sentencing, stating that while he had hoped for a longer period of incarceration, he recognized that the sentence imposed by the court represented a significant step towards achieving justice for his sister.
Sean expressed gratitude for the legal proceedings finally holding someone accountable for the crimes that had haunted their family for years. He acknowledged that the lengthy legal battle had taken a toll on him and his family, and the sentencing provided a sense of closure and relief after years of uncertainty.
In his own words, McCowan conveyed his feelings of satisfaction, stating, "You want to see a number of 100 but at the same time, 21 years is a pretty decent outcome. I think my mom would be thrilled to see someone finally facing a life in prison as a result of what they did."
What sentence was handed to Joseph George Sutherland?
Joseph George Sutherland received a significant sentence following his guilty plea. Superior Court Justice Maureen Forestell, presiding over the case, announced Sutherland's fate in a downtown Toronto courtroom. Sutherland was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 21 years.
Despite pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, Sutherland's crimes were deemed profoundly serious by Justice Forestell. She emphasized the sanctity of the victims' homes, which should have been places of safety but were instead violated by Sutherland's violent actions. Justice Forestell therefore underscored the gravity of Sutherland's offenses, stating that they warranted parole eligibility near the highest range permitted.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.