Charges have been laid in a 26-year-old double homicide cold case after Calgary police re-examined key forensic evidence.
On July 11, 1994, two intruders entered a residence in the 2500 block of 10 Avenue SE. Two men were shot and killed, police said. The intruders fled the scene and were not identified until now.
It’s believed the motive for the killings was associated to the sale of marijuana within the home.
The victims were later identified as Barry Christian Buchart, 26, and Trevor Thomas Deakins, 25.
Leonard Brian Cochrane, 51, of Calgary, has now been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Investigators are still working to determine the identity of the second suspect in this case.
“The last 26 years have been long and agonizing, but we never lost hope,” said Carol Williamson, Trevor Thomas Deakins’ mother, in a prepared statement.
“Our entire family is extremely relieved that Trevor is finally getting the justice he deserves. He can now truly Rest in Peace!”
Buchart’s family was thankful for the persistence of the CPS.
“We cannot express enough of our gratitude to the Calgary police Homicide Unit, for working so hard and never giving up over 26 years, trying to solve the tragic death of my brother Barry and roommate Trevor,” said Darcy Buchart, Barry’s brother.
Forensic tech improvements help crack case
In 2019, the Calgary Police Service Cold Case Team reopened the case file.
The advancement in forensic technology since the murder helped CPS find one of the suspects, Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm of the Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit said.
“Our investigators work tirelessly to solve each case and bring closure to a victim’s family, regardless of how much time has passed,” he said.
Cochrane was arrested after a search warrant was executed on a home in the 100 block of Queen Isabella Close SE, according to police.
Police are asking anyone with information associated to Leonard Cochrane from 1990 to 1995 contact the Calgary Police Service.
