Canadian police have recently linked the deaths of four young women from nearly 50 years ago to a now-deceased U.S. fugitive named Gary Allen Srery. Authorities believe that he may also be connected to other unsolved murders and sexual assaults in Western Canada, and are seeking information from the public to help solve these cases. Srery, who passed away in 2011 while serving a life sentence for sexual assault in a state prison in Idaho, was identified as the perpetrator through DNA evidence found on ancestry websites. The break in the homicides in Canada came when authorities compared DNA of the killer with profiles on these websites, eventually leading them to a match with Srery.
During a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police Supt. Dave Hall shared details about the four Canadian cases linked to Srery. In 1976, 14-year-olds Eva Dvorak and Patricia McQueen were last seen walking together in downtown Calgary before being found dead under a highway underpass the following day. In the spring of that year, 20-year-old Melissa Rehorek was found dead after hitchhiking in Calgary, and six months later, 19-year-old Barbara MacLean was found dead outside the city after leaving a hotel bar. Although the cause of death was unknown for the two 14-year-olds, Rehorek and MacLean’s deaths were attributed to strangulation. Semen was collected from all four crime scenes, but at the time, technology did not exist to find DNA matches.
Alberta RCMP Insp. Breanne Brown stated that Srery had an extensive criminal record that included forcible rape, kidnapping, and burglary when he fled to Canada from California in 1974. Despite living illegally in Canada for over two decades, Srery managed to evade authorities by using various aliases, frequently changing his appearance, residence, and vehicles. He worked as a cook in Calgary from 1974 to 1979 before moving to the Vancouver area and eventually being arrested for sexual assault in 1998. Srery was deported back to the U.S. in 2003, where he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for sexually motivated crimes.
Authorities believe that Srery’s criminal activities spanned several decades and jurisdictions, with the use of multiple aliases making it difficult to track his movements. They suspect that there may be more victims connected to Srery in Canada and are seeking the public’s help to uncover additional information that can shed light on his activities during his time in the country. Although Srery is no longer alive, investigators are hopeful that further details from the public could help bring closure to other unsolved cases that may be linked to the fugitive.
The use of DNA evidence and advancements in technology have played a crucial role in solving cold cases like these. By leveraging DNA from crime scenes and comparing it to profiles on ancestry websites, authorities were able to make the connection to Srery, despite the decades that had passed since the crimes were committed. This case highlights the importance of continued investigative efforts and collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the public, and advancements in forensic technology to bring justice to victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed since the crimes were committed.
The announcement of the link between Srery and these unsolved murders from the 1970s serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to solve cold cases and seek justice for victims and their loved ones. By bringing attention to these cases and seeking information from the public, authorities hope to uncover any additional details that may shed light on Srery’s criminal activities during his time in Canada and potentially lead to the resolution of other unsolved cases that may be connected to him. As advancements in technology continue to improve, there is hope that more cold cases can be solved and bring closure to the families of victims who have been waiting for justice for decades.
