Man charged with second degree murder in Simcoe

OPP Forensic Unit officer searches through gardens for evidence at a Simcoe home on Oct. 6, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)

A 45-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder related to a homicide investigation in Norfolk County.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, shortly after 10:30 a.m., Norfolk County OPP officers responded to a residence on Head Street South in Simcoe, and located a dead woman.

OPP say she has been identified as 71-year-old Barbara Morgen of Simcoe. Police say a postmortem examination determined that the death was the result of a homicide.

As a result of the investigation, on Friday, Oct. 10, Justin Morgan, 45, of Simcoe, was arrested and charged with second degree murder.

The accused remains in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Saturday, Oct. 11.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, police say they remain concerned for the well-being of Robert Sykes, 49, of Simcoe, who is currently unaccounted for.

Police say he was last seen on Head Street South on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Sykes is described as:

· White male

· Approximately 5′10″ (178 cm)

· 120 lbs (54 kg)

· Long dirty blond hair, typically worn in a ponytail

· Long beard/goatee

· May be wearing glasses

The Norfolk County OPP Crime Unit is continuing the investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Assistance is also being provided by the OPP Forensic Identification Services.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators should contact the Norfolk County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.