Sault Crime Stories 2011: Todd Petrie murder (unsolved)

As 2011 comes to an end police still have no solid leads on who killed Todd Petrie early in the year.

Despite questioning many people who may have some clues about the murder, the events leading up to Petrie's death in his apartment on Albert Street East late last February remain a mystery.

The exact date of his death isn’t even known for certain.

All that is known about his death is that  he was buried with full military honours in Holly, Michigan.

Petrie was a Private in the US Marine Corps, says his mother, Joyce Petrie of Saginaw Michigan.

He was 48 years old when he was murdered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

"Whoever did this to him was dealing was a marine, he was fighter," she said on Thursday.

Joyce also said her son wanted to move out of the apartment he was killed in - that he wanted to make some changes in his life.

"He kept in touch, he phoned me every other week and I know he wanted to improve his life, he wanted to move from that apartment," she said. 

But, instead, Petrie's lifeless body was discovered in the upstairs apartment at 142 Albert Street, East on February 27. 

Police said he was a security concious person who kept his door locked at all times.

They said he likely knew his killer(s) and let them into his apartment.

"I know the police there have done around six hundred interviews, but I still don’t know what happened," Joyce told SooToday.com.

And she desperately wants to know what happened to her son.

"As soon as the weather clears I'll be back in the Sault seeking justice for my son - one of my best attributes is determination!"

Petrie's murder is one of two unsolved crimes listed on the OPP website for 2011 and, almost a year later, there are still no suspects and no more details about what happened to Petrie.

Joyce hopes that offering a reward for information will help stir up new leads in a case that has gone very, very cold.

“I am willing to offer a sizeable reward, in total confidence to anyone that provides me with information that leads to an arrest," she said. "Someone knows what happened maybe they're scared to come forward, but it's time."

What she's looking for is closure.

She needs to know what happened to her son.

To send her information email her.

CRIME TIMELINE
  
Sunday February 27 2011:  At 3:57 p.m. police receive a call regarding a deceased male in an apartment on Albert Street East.

Wednesday, March 02, 2011:  Victim is positively identified as Todd Alan Petrie, age 48, of 142 Albert Street East, Apt. 2.

• A post mortem examination was performed on March 1st.

• Cause of death is determined to be blunt force trauma.

• Homicide investigation commences. Click here.

Thursday, March 03, 2011:  Crime Stoppers features murder, appeals for public's assistance to help solve the case.  Click here.

Thursday, March 17, 2011:  Crime is featured again.

• Public is reminded that small details may prove important. Click here.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011:   New details emerge in the case.

• Todd's whereabouts leading up to February 27 is investigated.

• He lived alone and was a security conscious person who kept his doors locked. 

• Investigators believe that he likely knew his killer(s) and allowed entry into his apartment.  Click here.

May 1 2011:  Family releases obituary. Click here.

PETRIE, Todd Alan, 48, of Saginaw, MI passed away February 27, 2011. Todd was the son of Joyce Petrie, her late husband Vern Nichol and John M. (Jack) Petrie and his wife Mary Ellen. Todd was born on December 6, 1962 in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. Todd served his country in the US Marine Corp. Surviving Todd are daughter Tera; three grandchildren; brother John (Cindy) Petrie; and sister Dawn (Graham) Hamilton of Charlotte, NC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7th, 11:00 a.m. at the Saginaw Community Reformed Church on Mackinaw Road.