Saskatoon Police Solve Century-Old "Woman in the Well" Murder Case Using Genetic Genealogy

Saskatoon Police Solve Century-Old Mystery: "Woman in the Well" Identified as Alice Spence

After nearly two decades of investigation, the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) has solved a century-old mystery, identifying the "woman in the well" as Alice Spence (nee Burke). Her remains were discovered in a well in Saskatoon's Sutherland neighborhood in 2006. Alice Spence, a woman of Irish ancestry who was approximately 35 years old at the time of her death, is believed to have died from foul play sometime between 1916 and 1918.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

On June 29, 2006, construction workers excavating a site at Central Avenue and 108th Street discovered human remains in an old well. The body, found inside a barrel, was well-preserved due to the contaminated ground and water levels. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Ernie Walker extracted DNA samples from teeth and hair. Investigators determined the death to be suspicious, indicating that Alice had been assaulted before being placed in the well.

The Breakthrough: Genetic Genealogy

For nearly 20 years, the case remained cold until advances in genetic science provided a breakthrough. Saskatoon police collaborated with the Toronto Police Service's Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) team and Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy company, to track down possible relatives and construct a family tree. Five genetic relatives were located in Alberta, the U.S., and Ireland, leading to the identification of Alice Spence.

Alice Spence's Life

Alice Spence was born in September 1881 in Michigan, one of five children. In 1902, she moved to Duluth, Minnesota, with her mother and two brothers, where she worked as a seamstress and clerk. She married Charles Irvine Spence in St. Louis, Minnesota, in 1904, and they had a daughter, Idella, in 1905. The family moved to Sutherland, Saskatchewan, in 1913. The last known record of Alice alive is a 1916 census. By 1921, Charles was living with Idella, a housekeeper, and her son, while a 1918 news article documented the Spence house being destroyed by fire.

Family Reaction and Closure

Cindy Camp, Alice's great-granddaughter, expressed shock and gratitude upon learning of Alice's fate. Idella, Alice’s daughter, was orphaned at 17 and never spoke about her mother. Camp and her family plan to place a headstone with Alice's name and date of birth on her grave in Woodlawn Cemetery, where she was buried in 2009. "Knowing what we know now, I wish I could talk with my grandmother, even for an hour, to hear her side of the story," Camp said.

Case Closed, Lessons Learned

Saskatoon police believe they have identified a suspect in the murder, but the suspect is deceased. The case is now considered closed. Police say this is believed to be the oldest investigation in Canada to be solved with the assistance of investigative genetic genealogy. Sergeant Darren Funk, lead investigator, stated, "Our perseverance paid off and through many friendships and advances of technology, our woman in the well was given her name."