Suspect arrested and charged in Renee Sweeney murder

New details into man accused in 1998 murder Sudbury police release further details about the 39-year-old North Bay man suspected of killing Renee Sweeney in 1998.

Update 2:

Sudbury police say that the accused, Steven Wright, worked as a lab technician at North Bay's hospital.

He attended a bail hearing Wednesday morning and will remain in custody until another bail hearing on December 20th.

Wright is being represented by long-time, well-known Sudbury criminal defence lawyer Berk Keaney.

Since the arrest, Detectives have executed three Search Warrants at various locations associated to him and have started examining the items seized during the warrants.

Investigators continue to interview potential witnesses and are in the process of reviewing all of the information that has been received in an effort to determine any link between him and Renee.

We are asking the Public for any new information given that we have identified the person believed to be responsible and who now stands charged in relation to this homicide. Robert “Steve” Wright was 18-years old, a resident of Sudbury and a student at Lockerby Composite School at the time of the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to this incident or this individual is asked to contact Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division at 705-675-9171 extension 2320.

Update: 

Greater Sudbury Police Service arrested and charged a man in North Bay Tuesday morning shortly after 11 am that they believe is responsible for the murder of Renee Sweeney 20 years ago.

Police say 39-year-old Robert Steven Wright, of North Bay, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Renee Sweeney at a Paris Street video store in 1998.

On January 27th, 1998, in broad daylight, Sweeney was brutally attacked at her place of work and sustained multiple stab wounds, succumbing to her injuries at the scene. The Laurentian University student was only 23 years old.

Over the years, investigators would eliminate a thousand suspects and sift through thousands of tips, but the true killer stayed hidden.

"This has never been a cold case. This organization has always been committed to solving this murder." said Police Chief Paul Pederson, of Greater Sudbury Police Service.

Now, 7,623 days later and only hours after executing an arrest warrant in North Bay, police made the announcement that some worried might never come.

"Our detectives identified a person of interest and through investigative techniques, gathered forensic evidence." said Detective Sergeant Sandra Dicaire, of GSPS.

Over the past two decades, GSPS has made many public appeals and has received over 2,000 tips in this case.

Wright, known as Steve or Stevie, was an 18-year-old Sudbury resident attending Lockerby Composite School at the time of the crime. He has no prior criminial record.

He now lives in North Bay, is married, and is described to CTV News by an acquaintance as a gentle giant.

But police see him differently.

"There is a sense of closure, a piece of satisfaction, but we know there's still long work ahead of us." said Pedersen.

Wright will appear in bail court Wednesday in Sudbury; CTV Northern Ontario will be there and will provide more details as soon as they become available.

Because the investigation is ongoing, anyone with information related to this incident or the individual mentioned above is asked to contact Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division at 705-675-9171 extension 2230.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

GSPS media release

Original:

Greater Sudbury Police Service called a media conference late Tuesday afternoon and say there has been a significant development in the unsolved murder of Renee Sweeney from 1998.

CTV Northern Ontario's will be at police headquarters for the 4 pm conference and will have the information here and on CTV News.