Homicide detectives identify remains of woman found during demolition of home in Niagara Falls

Human remains at the site of a demolished house in Niagara Falls have been identified as Brenda LeBlanc and a homicide investigation has been launched.

Homicide detectives say they have now identified the remains of a woman found during the demolition of a house in Niagara Falls, Ont., in 2023.

After an extensive investigation and through the use of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), Niagara police said they have identified human remains found at the demolition site as Brenda Marie Leblanc.

Leblanc, who was last seen in the mid-1990s when she was in her 30s, lived in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines and was originally from New Brunswick, police said.

Her death, according to police, is being investigated as a homicide.

Police are now appealing to the public for information about Leblanc.

“Someone knew Brenda. Someone may remember who she was with, where she lived, or something that didn’t seem important at the time,” Insp. Andrew Knevel said in a video posted on social media.

“If you have any information, no matter how small, please contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit. Your information could be the missing piece that finally provides answers to Brenda’s family and helps to hold the person or persons responsible for her death accountable.”