Barrie police reveal murder charges linked to complex homeless encampment investigation

Barrie police charge a Midland man with the murder of two missing men two weeks after an encampment investigation launched.

After two weeks of silence from the authorities following a homeless encampment evacuation and investigation, Barrie police issued a media release on Thursday revealing a complex and twisted months-long investigation into a report of a missing person, now one of two men believed to be dead.

The man at the centre of the murder case is Robert Ladouceur, 52, also known as ‘Tattoo Rob.’ Ladouceur was arrested earlier this month in Midland, days after police cleared out a massive homeless encampment in a greenspace in the area of Anne, John and Victoria streets in Barrie late last month. The area has remained off-limits to the public since July 30.

Ladouceur was charged initially with 19 criminal offences, primarily weapons-related.

Police say their investigation expanded to a rural property on Yearly Road near Cardwell Lake Road in Huntsville and a residence in north Simcoe County.

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Detectives from the service’s major crime and homicide unit, along with other specialized teams, recovered evidence, including suspected human remains, which are now at a forensic centre in Toronto for analysis.

“Much of the detailed forensic examination of outdoor properties in recent weeks occurred after the primary suspect in this ongoing investigation was identified and arrested,” Barrie police stated in the Thursday release.

Police say based on witness interviews, investigators believe Ladouceur is responsible for the deaths of William ‘Blake’ Robinson, 45, and David Cheesequay, 41.

He is now facing further charges of first and second-degree murder, two counts of indignity to a body, plus additional weapons and drug-related offences.

Police have not disclosed a motive in the case or if it’s drug related. They have also not revealed whether the men knew each other.

Ladouceur remains in police custody to await a bail hearing scheduled for Friday in Barrie.

Police have decided not to release any further details until August 26, when a news conference is scheduled to be held at Barrie police headquarters.

The allegations against Ladouceur have not been tested in court.