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$10,000 Reward Offered in Shannon MacDougall (Burnside) Homicide - News

$10,000 Reward Offered in Shannon MacDougall (Burnside) Homicide - News

$10,000 Reward Offered in Shannon MacDougall (Burnside) Homicide - News

$10,000 Reward Offered in Shannon MacDougall (Burnside) Homicide

Mar 9, 2021

INC # 20-9948

Detectives with the Major Crime Unit of the Brantford Police Service continue to actively investigate the murder of Shannon MacDougall (Burnside). March 11, 2021 marks the one-year anniversary that patrol officers responded to 26 Mintern Avenue, Brantford to check on the well-being of Shannon.  While conducting this check, Shannon was located alone inside the residence, deceased.  

Members of the Brantford Police Service Criminal Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Section attended the scene and immediately entered into a suspicious death investigation.  

A post-mortem examination occurred in the days that followed and the investigation into the circumstances and manner of death continued.  At the time, police continued to conduct interviews, canvass the neighbourhood for potential witnesses, and completed a forensic processing of the scene.  

In June 2020, police received additional information that assisted in moving the investigation forward.  At this time, the information was not made public in order to protect the investigation and provide the investigative team with the best opportunity at solving the case.  Although the information was not public, police dedicated additional resources to the investigation at that time.  

As is the case with any major investigation, police have the challenging task of balancing both the needs of the investigation with public interest and notification to the community.  Due to the nature of the investigation, and in an effort to provide the best opportunity to solve Shannon’s murder, investigators determined it was in the best interest of the investigation to initially refrain from publicly releasing information. On November 30, 2020, a media release was issued to provide an overview of this active and ongoing case.

The lead investigator on Shannon’s murder, Detective Ryan Groen, has been working on the investigation since March 11, 2020.  Although unable to provide specific details on the progress of the investigation, police will continue to provide resources to this investigation with the goal of holding the persons(s) with involvement in Shannon’s murder responsible.

"Although Shannon is gone she has never been forgotten.  Shannon was a mother to two children, a friend, a loved sister, and a daughter to a grieving mother.  I believe there are people in the community that can help solve Shannon’s murder and I am asking them for their assistance.  There is a dedicated tip line of 519-756-0113 ext. 2319 and a dedicated email address of shannonmacdougall@police.brantford.on.ca established to receive information from the community.  We also have a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for her murder.”   - Detective Ryan Groen       

Shannon’s family continues to seek justice and closure and are also requesting help from the community:

"Shannon was one of a kind and she had a huge heart. She was always there for you when you needed her and reminded you constantly that her door was always open. She was a great mother, daughter and sister.  She would literally pick us up anytime, any day just to hang out.  She was like a best friend. Through all her struggles she remained strong and hopeful and always put her family first, including her children who she always wanted the best for. There is not enough words to describe the wonderful person she was and the way she lit up the room.  There is no pain like the pain of losing a child.  We think of her every day and we miss her every day.”  - Burnside Family

Today, police are announcing a $10,000 reward to anyone who may have information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible in Shannon’s murder (see attached notice).  

Investigators are hopeful that this reward, in conjunction with the information already known to police, will assist in providing justice for Shannon and closure to her family.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Brantford Police Service Tip Line at 519-756-0113 ext. 2319. Tips can also be sent via email to shannonmacdougall@police.brantford.on.ca 

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-888-8477 (TIPS).


Image: Reward Poster

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