Plumber Came To Fix A Blocked Pipe But Instead Solves Two Cold Cases

Summary

In December 2017, plumbers in Oshawa, Ontario, discovered human remains while clearing a drain, leading to the arrest of Adam Strong. His grisly crimes included the murders of Rory Hashe and Candace Fitzpatrick, spanning nearly a decade. Strong, a man with a dark history and troubling behavior, dismembered his victims after their deaths. Despite his lack of confession, strong physical evidence, including DNA and a chilling online search history, led to his conviction. His crimes, marked by horrific brutality and long gaps between murders, reveal the disturbing depths of his violence and have left the community reeling in shock.

Takeaways

• 😀 Plumbers in Oshawa, Ontario, discovered human remains while attempting to clear a blocked drain in December 2017, leading to a grisly murder investigation.
• 😀 The body parts found in the pipes belonged to Rory Hashey, a 19-year-old woman who had gone missing days earlier, turning her disappearance into a murder case.
• 😀 Rory Hashey had a troubled background, struggling with drug addiction, and was the granddaughter of a notorious biker gang leader, Bernie 'the Frog' Ginden.
• 😀 Rory's body was dismembered, with parts found in different locations, including a torso discovered in Lake Ontario in September 2017.
• 😀 The murderer, Adam Strong, had been living in a basement suite and had a history of violence and disturbing behavior, including an obsession with gore.
• 😀 Upon investigation, police found more human remains in Strong's freezer, including a severed head with a tattoo matching Rory's.
• 😀 Strong's apartment contained evidence of other crimes, including weapons, blood spatter, and items linked to his previous violent acts.
• 😀 In addition to Rory's murder, Strong was linked to the death of Candace Fitzpatrick, a woman who had been missing since 2008, through DNA found on a knife.
• 😀 Strong's confession was incomplete, but he admitted to dismembering Rory's body and stated he had procrastinated in disposing of her remains.
• 😀 Adam Strong was convicted in 2021 of first-degree murder for Rory's death and manslaughter for Candace's, with a life sentence for his actions.
• 😀 Strong's case raises disturbing questions about how a serial killer can remain undetected for years, with his first known victim disappearing in 2008.

Q & A

What was the initial job that the plumbers were called for in the Oshawa neighborhood?

The plumbers were called to address a blocked drain at an apartment, which they initially believed would be a routine job, only to discover gruesome remains in the pipes.

How did the plumbers react when they discovered human remains in the drain?

The plumbers were horrified upon finding human flesh in the pipes. One of them expressed disbelief, saying, 'Never seen nothing like this before.'

What connection did Rory Hache have with her family and how did her background influence her life?

Rory came from a troubled family background, including connections to outlaw biker gangs. She struggled with addiction, though she had a strong relationship with her uncle Harley, who gave her financial support during difficult times.

Why was Rory Hache's disappearance not immediately noticed by her family?

Rory's family initially thought she had skipped town, possibly due to relapsing into old habits. However, her closest family members knew something was wrong as she had a stable relationship and was pregnant.

What role did the discovery of Rory’s torso play in the investigation?

The discovery of Rory's severed torso in Lake Ontario was a key turning point in the investigation. It allowed authorities to confirm that Rory was deceased and helped link her case to Adam Strong.

What was found in Adam Strong's apartment when police arrived after the plumber's discovery?

Police found various dismembered body parts in Strong's freezer, including a human head tattooed with the word 'Alive,' which matched Rory's tattoo. They also discovered evidence of previous crimes and disturbing items, including a pipe bomb.

How did Adam Strong's behavior during the investigation contribute to his arrest?

Strong's nervous and talkative behavior, including confessing to having parts of the body in his freezer, led to his immediate arrest. He also made incriminating statements while in the police car, further implicating himself.

How did the police link Adam Strong to the murder of Candace Fitzpatrick?

Police found Candace Fitzpatrick's DNA on a specialty knife in Strong's apartment. Although Candace's body was never found, this evidence linked Strong to her murder, which had remained unsolved for years.

Why was it difficult for police to solve Candace Fitzpatrick's case earlier?

Candace's body was never found, and the case went cold for nearly a decade. Without a body or substantial evidence, it was hard for authorities to connect her disappearance to Strong until DNA evidence was discovered.

What was the key piece of evidence used to convict Adam Strong despite his lack of confession?

The key evidence that led to Strong's conviction was the DNA found on the knife used to dismember the bodies of both Rory and Candace, as well as the testimonies and circumstantial evidence, including Strong’s admission of dismembering Rory.