“Independent Review Launched After Critical Evidence Lost in Cold Case”

An external examination has been initiated concerning the Byron Carr murder case investigation following the dismissal of charges in the P.E.I. cold case due to the loss of critical evidence by Charlottetown police, as announced by provincial authorities on Tuesday. Justice and Public Safety Minister Bloyce Thompson expressed concern for all those affected, especially the late Mr. Carr’s friends and family, emphasizing the importance of transparency and maintaining public trust in the justice system. The findings and recommendations from this independent review will be disclosed to the public. The Office of the Police Commissioner will select a third party to conduct the review, although specific details regarding the review’s timeline and scope have not yet been disclosed. Charlottetown police have not provided a response at this time, but interim Chief Darren MacDougall previously mentioned his willingness to cooperate with such a review. The recent developments come following the release of Todd Joseph Irving, 59, who had been accused of the 1988 murder of Carr, as the Crown decided to drop all charges citing the loss of crucial evidence by Charlottetown police. Carr, a well-liked teacher, was discovered strangled and stabbed in his residence in November 1988. The case remained unsolved until 2024 when advancements in DNA technology led to a breakthrough. Interim Police Chief Darren MacDougall acknowledged awareness of the missing evidence, which included a knife and a towel from the crime scene, dating back to 2007 when the cold case was reopened by Charlottetown Police Services. Although the DNA evidence from the scene was preserved, police believed it was substantial enough to serve as standalone evidence.