Robert Pitcher

Robert Pitcher, known to his friends and family as Bobby, was a 31-year-old man from Newfoundland and Labrador who was the father of a young son. His family remembered him as having a "heart of gold." Tragically, his life was cut short, leaving his loved ones devastated and searching for answers that remain elusive more than a decade later. His nephew, Jamie Cody, who was also a victim of homicide years later, was predeceased by his uncle Bobby Pitcher.

On the morning of July 28, 2014, a person walking their dog made a grim discovery in a new, wooded subdivision on Seascape Drive in the town of Paradise. The body of a man was found in the undeveloped area off St. Thomas Line. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) was called to the scene, and the deceased was soon identified as Robert Pitcher. An autopsy confirmed he had died from a gunshot wound to the head. From the outset, investigators with the RNC’s Major Crime Unit treated his death as a homicide, stating they believed it was a targeted killing.

The investigation into Bobby Pitcher's murder was extensive. In May 2015, the RNC made a significant public announcement, officially linking his death to the disappearance of 26-year-old Joshua Whalen. Whalen had been reported missing in August 2014, just weeks after Pitcher was killed. He was last seen in the Cabot Street area of St. John's. Police confirmed that Pitcher and Whalen were known to each other and that they suspected the individuals responsible for both deaths were known associates of both victims.

With this new development, the RNC revealed they had suspects or persons of interest in the connected homicides, though no arrests were made. The investigative team, consisting of about 12 officers, conducted over 250 interviews. Police and Rovers Ground Search and Rescue teams carried out multiple searches for evidence, including in the Mount Scio Road area of Pippy Park in St. John's. These searches were conducted on the first anniversary of Pitcher's death, as police hoped to uncover new leads. In October 2016, Joshua Whalen's remains were finally discovered in a wooded area off Roaches Line, confirming he too was a victim of homicide.

Despite the years that have passed, the pain of Bobby Pitcher's loss remains fresh for his family. The connection to Joshua Whalen's case brought a new focus to the investigation, and police stated that a flow of tips intensified after the link was made public. The RNC established a dedicated tip line and email address, urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Investigators have consistently stated their belief that there are people in the community who hold key information that could solve both murders.

As of July 2021, the seventh anniversary of his death, the murder of Robert Pitcher remains unsolved. No one has been arrested or charged in connection with his targeted killing. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary investigation is still open, and they continue to seek information from the public. Police have asked anyone who may have information to contact the RNC's dedicated tip line for the Pitcher and Whalen investigations at (709) 729-8900 or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers.