A Smiths Falls man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder more than two years after the body of Giles Dagenais was discovered in the Toledo area.
Just after 7 a.m. back on July 31, 2023, officers from the Leeds County OPP detachement responded to a call at a residence, and after arriving at the scene found the body of Dagenais, a 66-year-old Elizabethtown-Kitley Township resident.
After what police called an “extensive investigation”, 58-year-old Ronald Gough was arrested and charged Thursday.
“The investigative team showed outstanding dedication and determination in pursuing every lead to bring clarity to a case that has deeply affected the community,” OPP Det. Insp. Jocelyn Sauve said in a news release Thursday. “The tireless efforts of the team, including our OPP support units and the Smiths Falls Police Service, led to identifying and arresting an individual in connection with this tragic crime.
“We are sincerely grateful for the public’s support and the valuable information they provided throughout the investigation.”
Gough was remanded in custody following a bail hearing and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation was encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Those who want to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca .
