Prince George police arrest 21-year-old alleged serial killer
By Castlegar Source
The Prince George RCMP announced that a series of homicide charges have been laid in connection with one investigation dating back to 2009 and two investigations from 2010.
These charges are the result of a 10-month coordinated investigation called Project E-Prelude, a joint investigation led by investigators from the North District Major Crime unit and the Prince George RCMP Detachment Serious Crime Unit. It also involved extensive resources from around the province including investigators and support staff from the E Division Serious Crime Unit, Behavioral Science Group, the E Division Interview Team, Criminal Analysts and a number of specialized RCMP Forensic Laboratories throughout the country. Investigators also took the unusual step of utilizing a Forensic Specialist from the U.S. to examine specific aspects of the available evidence.
Three counts of first-degree murder have been laid against 21-year-old Cody Alan Legebokoff from Prince George in connection with the deaths of 35-year- old Jill Stacey Stuchenko, 35-year-old Cynthia Frances Maas, and 23-year-old Natasha Lynn Montgomery. Legebokoff was arrested this past Friday at the Prince George Regional Correctional Center, where he is currently awaiting trial in the November 2010 homicide of 15-year-old Loren Donn Leslie from Fraser Lake, B.C.
Jill Stuchenko was a mother from Prince George. She was also a talented singer. She was reported missing to police on Oct. 22, 2009. At the time, the Prince George RCMP conducted a missing persons investigation and sought the assistance of the media and the public to help find her. Sadly, her body was found on Oct. 26, 2009 in a gravel pit off Otway Road in the outskirts of Prince George, B.C. Cynthia Maas was also a mother. She was reported missing by her friends on Sept. 23, 2010. Her family was also concerned because they had not heard from her over the course of several weeks. Despite numerous proactive policing initiatives on the part of the Prince George Detachment and North District Major Crime Unit, such as street checks, contact with various organizations and businesses and other search efforts, Cynthia was not found until Oct. 9, 2010, when her body was discovered in LC Gunn Park, also in a remote area of Prince George. Also a mother, Natasha Montgomery was originally from Quesnel, B.C., but had been living in the Prince George area. When she failed to connect with her family after a number of weeks, her friends contacted the RCMP to report her missing. She was reported missing the same day as Cynthia Maas. While her body has not been recovered, investigative findings have resulted in a murder charge in relation to her disappearance. All four were women loved by their friends and family. All four were homicide victims. As a result of Project E- PRELUDE, all four of these murdered women have been connected to a single suspect. “We have spent the last 24 hours with members of the victims’ families and support services have been provided to help them through this difficult time,” said Insp. Brendan Fitzpatrick, E Division Major Crime Section. “It was evident by our meeting yesterday; these women were all very vibrant, talented and loving. They were all mothers, daughters, and aunts and possess large extended familes who miss them tremendously. The families request privacy at this very sad time. “We also respect news of this development and the charges will be met with mixed emotions by the community. These are difficult and complex investigations that require a dedicated team of resources. This group and particularly the RCMP remain committed to ensuring justice is delivered. “While these cases are before the courts, I am limited to the amount of information or details I can provide at this time. However, I can confirm that in all three of these new cases investigators were assigned with first locating the missing person. Upon receiving the Missing Person Reports investigators were immediately focused on locating the women and gathering information as to their potential whereabouts. This consisted of a number of proactive policing strategies including street checks, designated patrols, targeting areas and people known to frequent areas these women were known to have attended. Extensive and immediate follow-up was conducted on potential sightings as well as a number of other investigative avenues. In fact, during this time at least one other woman was reported missing. The on-going investigation thankfully located her safe and sound in another city. “When they were located, in the cases of Jill Stuchenko and Cynthia Maas, the crime scenes were examined and the latest in forensic collection and analysis methods were used. In two of the four cases, this also included, as I mentioned earlier, utilizing a forensic specialist from Pennsylvania who utilized state of the art computer technology to forensically examine some of the evidence. “Over the course of the investigation a number of search warrants were executed at two Prince George residences associated to 21 year old Cody LEGEBOKOFF. The vehicle he was driving during the aftermath of 15 year old Loren LESLIE’s November 27, 2010 murder was also painstakingly forensically examined over the course of several weeks. It was a combination of many factors, along with a dedicated team of investigators that has brought us to the point where these additional three charges can be laid. “However, our investigation is not over. We do need the public’s help. In order to assist us with advancing our investigation, we are releasing a photo of Cody Alan Legebokoff and his vehicle. “Legebokoff is described as 21-years-old, Caucasian male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. His vehicle is described as a Black 2004 GMC ½ ton pickup truck. We also know that he was an avid user of social media and technology. Our investigation indicates he extensively utilized social media and on-line dating to correspond with friends, associates, potential girlfriends and others. He frequently used the on-line name of 1CountryBoy. “It should also been known that Legebokoff lived in Lethbridge, Alberta for a short time between June 2008 and August 2009. “We are asking anyone with any information, in particular between the time period of October 2009 and November 2010 to call a special Tip Line that has been established for this case. The number: 1-877-987-8477 (TIPS). “We believe there are others out there that may have been in contact with LEGEBOKOFF or these victims and possess information that can assist our on-going investigation.”
