On a spring evening in May 2003, 10-year-old Holly Jones walked a friend home in her Toronto neighborhood and did not return. Her parents reported her missing, triggering a large police search and an Amber Alert. The next day, dismembered remains were found in two duffel bags, weighed down and discarded in Toronto Harbour.

Investigators recovered fibers from the remains and collected DNA from neighborhood men. Police obtained DNA from a discarded soda can belonging to 35-year-old software developer Michael Briere, a resident who had refused to provide a sample. His DNA matched the material found on Holly’s body, and carpet fibers from his apartment matched fibers recovered with the remains. Forty days after Holly’s death, Briere was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; court proceedings revealed he had sexually assaulted and strangled Holly before dismembering her.

In June 2004 Briere pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, saying his actions were driven by an addiction to child pornography and describing the crime as cruel, inhuman, and nightmarish. He received an automatic life sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2028. If anyone knew Holly or has information relevant to the case, please share it with investigators.