The jury found Robert Kociuk guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Beverly Dyke (48). She was killed in May 1984 in a wooded area near the airport. Police say she was sexually assaulted and then stabbed a number of times. The case would have remained unsolved if it weren’t for the advancement of DNA technology.
“I think it was 1998 when I got a call from a police officer to tell me they actually had a DNA fingerprint of the accused ….it gives you new hope,” says Chris, Beverly’s son. Shortly afterwards, police put that DNA on the national crime scene index. Five years later, it was matched to Robert Kociuk. He was a suspect in the original case.
He had been convicted of committing bank robberies in Ontario and was ordered to give a sample of his DNA. It matched the semen found inside the victim in 1984 and ultimately led to his first degree murder conviction.
After the trial, the Dyke family thanked the crown as well as all the detectives who worked on the case over the years. Kociuk has spent much of his life behind bars. He’s now 68-years-old and may not get out of prison until he is 93. Kociuk is considering an appeal. The entire article is here.
Note 1: the victim’s name is spelled Beverley in newspapers but in court documents it is Beverly.
Note 2: I cannot find a photograph of Beverly so I have placed a generic angel here. Should you have more details about Beverly or a photograph, please contact me.
