The murder of 65-year-old Frederick “John” Hatch remains unsolved, so the OPP has unveiled a “moving billboard” to garner more information from the public.
Hatch’s body was discovered on Dec. 17 in a wooded area off Wellington Road 124 near the 10th line in Erin. He was last seen at a Dollar Tree store in the Ottawa area the previous day.
On Aug. 29 at the Rockwood detachment, OPP media relations coordinator Sergeant Dave Rektor and Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington program coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter revealed the newest initiative to uncover more information about the case.
“(The case) is being treated as a homicide,” said Rektor.
“These cases are very important to resolve; we want to ensure the public and that we’ll find the people responsible for it, but in doing so, we also have to reach out to the public and solicit their help.”
The van displays photographs of Hatch and provides information about the case to encourage members of the public to come forward with any tips they may have. It will travel from Erin to Nepean.
“It’s going to stop at the various communities and hopefully … this billboard, moving billboard will stimulate somebody to say ‘yeah, I saw that guy, on that date’ and be able to provide us with information … to help the investigation,” said Rektor.
“Clearly, somebody would have seen him during his travels across almost six hours of distance. This is just an innovative way to get the message out in a very big way.”
Bowers-Peter encouraged anyone with information, no matter the type, to come forward or call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.
The investigation
Rektor said police have “very few” details about the case.
“That’s what makes this one a little tougher to solve,” he said.
“I have no doubt that this will be resolved. Somebody out there knows something.”
Erin Fire and Emergency Services responded at around 7am on Dec. 17 to a brush fire in a small wooded area next to the highway just north of Erin Village.
On Dec. 18, an autopsy was conducted in Toronto at the Centre of Forensic Sciences. The cause of death is evidence in the investigation and will not be released, police say.
The manner in which Hatch travelled between Ottawa and Erin is unknown, but police say Hatch was known to hitchhike.
At the time of his death, he was wearing a denim vest with Mickey Mouse characters on the back, a black leather jacket, a blue and white bandana, glasses, black Harley Davidson boots and was carrying a red duffel bag.
In June, the government offered a total reward of $50,000 for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Hatch’s murder.
Investigators urge anyone with information regarding the murder to contact the OPP (1-888-310-1122) or the nearest police authority. To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tip providers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Further information about this case is available on the OPP website at www.opp.ca.
