Joseph Sutherland Now Serving Life in Prison for Murder

Joseph Sutherland Is Behind Bars for Two Murders Thanks to Genetic Genealogy

"This has been dogging all of us for 40 years. We wanted to find out who did it and why and what this guy’s name was," stated Erin's brother.

Apr. 22 2024, Published 10:17 a.m. ET

Without families advocating for murder victims, criminals like Joseph Sutherland may have got away with the murders of Erin Gilmour and Susan Tice.

Thanks to tendencies in genetic family tree, Toronto police have been in a position to in any case tie Sutherland to the murders in November 2022. According to the warrant file, “After a few years of investigation, it wasn’t until (genetic family tree) turned into a tool for law enforcement that 5 Sutherland brothers had been recognized as persons of hobby,” reported The Toronto Star.

Joseph Sutherland is now at the back of bars and serving a life sentence.

In March 2024, 62-year-old Joseph Sutherland pleaded accountable to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour. The murders have been committed in 1983. DNA evidence tied the cases together in 2008. Genetic family tree in the end tied Sutherland to the case in 2022.

Justice Maureen Forestell sentenced Sutherland to life in prison with no likelihood of parole for 21 years. Sutherland is lately imprisoned on the Toronto South Detention Centre.

According to The Toronto Star, Judge Forestall mentioned, “Both murders fall just about first-degree murder. Even this type of murders would have, in my view, justified a length of parole ineligibility in the very best vary. Two such murders call for an exemplary sentence. A parole ineligibility duration of lower than 20 years would now not be enough.”

The CBC reported that the judge additionally said, "The deaths of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour were not quick and they were not painless. Ms. Tice suffered numerous defensive injuries as she fought for her life. Ms. Gilmour was bound and gagged. They were killed in their homes, which should have been places of sanctuary."

"The victims were sexually assaulted. The impact of the violence has continued to be felt by the other victims in this case, the families and friends of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour, over the past 40 years."

The Global News’ quote from the judge leads us to the significance of the sufferer’s families. “The ache of the losses used to be magnified for each households by the uncertainty that the offender of the murder had by no means been found.”

Erin Gilmour and Susan Tice's families saved their recollections alive.

Erin Gilmore's brother, Sean McCowan, spoke after the sentencing. "You want to see a number of 100 but, at the same time, 21 years, in light of the fact that the maximum it could be is 25, is a pretty decent outcome, I think, in our family's view."

Speaking on shifting ahead, he mentioned, "I’m happy to have the legal aspect of it done, this has been dogging all of us for 40 years. We wanted to find out who did it and why and what this guy’s name was. And, finally, we got there.”

Susan Tice's daughter, Christian Tice, was asked how it felt to finally see someone behind bars after 40 years and the lack of justice. She said, "There’s no closure, there’s no justice, it’s something that remains with you and we’re just glad they were given the guy, he’s in spite of everything going to be put in jail and for me, I believe protected now.”

The latest episode of Dateline, "Evil Walked Through the Door," paperwork Gilmour and Tice's murders and takes a closer have a look at Sutherland. The episode is to be had to move on Peacock.

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