Vancouver man charged with murder in 1996 Ottawa cold case killing

A Vancouver man has been charged with second-degree murder in a decades-old Ottawa cold case police say they cracked using cutting-edge DNA technology.
Lawrence Diehl, 73, is accused of fatally stabbing 22-year-old Christopher Smith on the Portage Bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau in 1996.
Vancouver police, in collaboration with Ottawa police, arrested the former meteorologist and BC Soccer Hall of Fame inductee at his home on Dec. 10.
Ottawa police said homicide investigators returned to the nearly 30-year-old cold case in 2020 when they used advanced DNA testing, including Investigative Genetic Genealogy, to identify a suspect.
Global's Kristen Robinson reports.
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[@sherrysimms951]

I love the advancement of DNA, finally victims and their families can get justice!

[@gravad5250]

It’s amazing how far we’ve come.

[@beeftestosterone4355]

That small house is worth 3.25 million......criminal

[@SnowPink90]

My friend just bought a brand new five bedroom house down in Florida to be close to her mom and she paid $325,000 for the house. Canadian real estate is highway robbery and realtors are laughing all the way to the bank.

[@AletheAce]

Just 10 years ago it was completely different. And now, you literally need to be a millionaire to ever have a chance of affording a small house

[@SueP-jg9vx]

@@AletheAce 10 yrs ago was pretty bad too tho. Vancouver is totally insane. But so is Paris, London NYC, etc

[@markadler8968]

@@AletheAce 10 years ago that house was worth 1.8 million at least. To go back to any sort of realistic house pricing in Vancouver you have to go back to around 2008.

[@Dirty_Duzz]

lower mainland is terrible. from everything from traffic to real estate.

[@ivannovotny4552]

Thanks for forensic DNA genetic genealogy and also Ottawa police for re-opening this cold murder case.

[@mark902]

the real crime is that 3.25 million dollar price tag on that house. it's a nice house. but 3.25 million dollars?

[@skd7028]

It’s Vancouver. Nuff said ….

[@speromeliora604]

It's not about the house... it's the dirt that the house sits on. Kerrisdale is one of the nicer areas in Vancouver.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

No the real crime is the murder that occurred - it is shallow to state otherwise.

[@mark902]

@@skatingcanuck9837 i mean duh. hello. duh. what is this? a courtroom? i'm just kidding. have you ever heard of kidding?

[@w3req-w6b]

he is a usual NDP voter. After last election, I lost my respect towards BC.

[@victoria653]

i love how they have to say the price of the home.....

[@westerlywinds5684]

Yes, a bit tongue in cheek, isn’t it.

[@jiml9856]

I like how the reporters go door to door to make sure all his neighbours know

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

Public service the neighbours should know

[@srr2791]

😅😅😅

[@alternativeartattic]

poetic justice!

[@skd7028]

Very thoughtful. Lol

[@ZoeyBe]

😂😂😂

[@chiggyvon]

Neighbour saying he wasn’t the friendliest to say the least was telling.

[@SueP-jg9vx]

how can he kill someone and just carry on and become successful, become a meteorologist and soccer player, coach, etc?? that is fked up

[@davedismantled]

@@SueP-jg9vx The charge may be "murder", but for all we know it was self defense and he got scared. The DNA match only shows he was present, not why it happened.

[@davedismantled]

Just because someone isn't the friendliest, doesn't make them a murderer - so it isn't that "telling" to a reasoning and logical mind. People just keeping to themselves can be seen as "unfriendly" from a subjective perspective, which is what that persons comment was - subjective.

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

@@davedismantled yeah, it's now his word against a dead person, but what I don't understand is what about the second person he was walking with before stabbing the victim... Was that person tracked down and spilled the beans and it's maybe why no charges against that person?

[@daniel213141]

If he's a psychopath? .....As easy as falling off a log.

[@davidglew5591]

canadian police actually arresting a criminal, strange.

[@perrysansregret7571]

It's gotta be catch and release😅

[@skd7028]

Indeed.

[@ArchieBunker-i2h]

He was white so they were allowed to arrest him.

[@chilo8187]

Are they arresting themselves now? 😂

[@carolhowson228]

Biden will pardon him too

[@WrennSong]

What in the world. It is so good that he has been identified and arrested. Excellent that the police persevered in this case that had seemingly gone cold. I wonder if this arrest came as a shock to him or if he had an inkling the walls were closing in. Everyone who knows him must be in complete shock. Wow. My heart goes out to the family of the victim who have waited so long for justice.

[@mrstealyourgurl3910]

hi:p

[@SnowPink90]

You wouldn’t believe what they keep from a crime scene even a blade of grass they will keep if it has evidence on it. I worked at the Supreme Court house and it was very interesting, but also scary at the same time. You wonder if the wife knew or if she didn’t know because he married her after that timeframe they’ll probably have to sell the house to pay the lawyers that’s too bad. It’s a beautiful house.

[@mc5071]

I don't think they'll get the answers they're looking for lol. 40yr old professional from out of town picks a fight with two drunk guys half his age on a deserted bridge? Unlikely. There's a more obvious explanation for what happened

[@Atite_Lometen]

"Victim" lol

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

@@mc5071 Yes…common sense finally. You could be a detective! 👌 Happy ‘25 🕊️🫶

[@LibrarianBarbarian]

Police believe bridge stabbing death result of fight: [FINAL Edition]​ The Ottawa Citizen ; Ottawa, Ont.. 08 June 1996: C.1. ....Ottawa-Carleton police say Christopher Smith started a fight that led to his death on the Portage Bridge in April.... it [is] our understanding that whatever took place on the bridge that night was initiated by the victim, Christopher Smith,'' Wisker said Friday night..... ....Smith, 23, was walking back to Ottawa with his cousin in the early hours of April 12 before the fight began. He died of stab wounds at the scene.... ....Police still hope the man Smith was fighting with will come forward to tell his side of what happened.... ....About 30 minutes after the stabbing, an unidentified caller placed a 911 call from a telephone booth on Gloucester Street.... ‐------

[@akosua8779]

Once you run, there is some guilt that will follow.

[@goosebumps_2024]

He just randomly stabbed someone to death???? Was there an argument prior? This is really confusing.

[@passionparade]

That was my thought as well. I have a hard time seeing this guy as a criminal.

[@davida6146]

Not necessarily... there are false positives and it could've been a relative who did it

[@swy334]

Motive would be good to know

[@k.doolittle2473]

You are naive.

[@BeeHash]

@@davida6146that’s not how genetic genealogy works. They get a general sense of which branch of a certain family or families the killer belongs to and then they start testing people one by one until they have an exact match. Notice how they had the DNA sequenced nearly 5 years ago but just arrested him? That’s why.

[@shadowcrimes365]

Impressive investigative work by the Ottawa Police and their use of advanced DNA technology! It's incredible to see a cold case from nearly 30 years ago finally moving towards justice. Thank you, Global News, for covering this important story and highlighting the dedication of law enforcement teams.

[@dyingfromthelying]

That is a long long time to be looking over your shoulder, Brutal.

[@colleenshea2293]

This was a self defense case in the past - people just love to jump on and paint the worst picture ! AND it has not been proven in court yet.

[@shirleydaley5335]

No way you know this was self defense by this story

[@kevinbarry3548]

You are clearly identifying with the murderer which speaks volumes about your character. You don't know if this was "self defense" other than what your perpetrator friend has fed you. Nice try to distract from the truth: HE GOT CAUGHT. We love it.

[@daniel213141]

So you know that the "assailant" determined after stabbing someone, that it was self defense, and just carried on with the rest of his life without informing the authorities?

[@jeanlannin9828]

You Don't run if your not guilty and just live with it do you pretty cold

[@shirleydaley5335]

@@kevinbarry3548 you or I don't know what happened because no facts of the case have been released. So wait until they do before trying to prove a point

[@Kate-fr7qc]

I wonder how many powerful men have similar events in their past.

[@johngreystone]

And women too 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦‍♂️🥴🤫🤡

[@sc90s]

@@johngreystone Like Killary?

[@jake-qn3tl]

​@@johngreystoneyou're one of those guys

[@westerlywinds5684]

I think I have at least 1 colleague I wouldn’t be surprised of his past, not so much in Canada, but in Australia in the 1980’s. Not sure. No evidence, but just by his stories.

[@stephenmorris9704]

Well, this just spoiled Lawrence 's new year .

[@grievingmom]

all those murderers hiding, thinking they have gotten away with it and living large are starting to feel very afraid I bet by this new technology pulling each one out of their shadow life....

[@brianpistolwhip]

I am amazed how they caught this guy. Unbelievable police work.

[@westerlywinds5684]

…….and other times, police work is exactly that, unbelievable.

[@Petrowsky14]

Lived in Ottawa in 1996, don't recall this, but walking back from Hull probably wasted

[@Atite_Lometen]

It sounds like they tried to pick a fight with the wrong guy for sure, in 1996 everyone from ottawa used to cross to hull for an extra hour of liquor serving, Ottawa last call was at 2pm and Gatineau was at 3am, the majority of guys crossing used to go there to pick up fights, they used to close the street and there would be a brawl in the bar block every Friday and Saturday, I bet this guys were coming from there with the itching of fighting and meet the wrong guy.

[@kathrynbillinghurst188]

This goes to show, we don’t know who or what lives next door. 👀 Thank goodness for tenacious detectives and DNA 🧬 submissions. 🕊️

[@joept333]

Wow! Living beside a murderer for years. The victim's parents had to wait 3 decades to get justice while the murderer got to live their life.

[@allochica]

And living WITH a murderer…who knows if wife knew anything 😳

[@shacooked]

You’ll get surprise the jail time here for murder is weird compared to other country

[@alexandergreenfield91]

Come on people, you have no idea what happened. It doesn't sound like a pre meditated or serial killer type situation. It may well have been a tragic accident

[@kevinbarry3548]

Nice try to hijack the narrative and make the perpetrator the victim. You don't know what did or didn't happen except what the perp has fed you. You clearly are associated with this murderer and that speaks volumes of your character. You failed to distract from the truth: HE GOT CAUGHT!

[@sarahdee3546]

yeah well we all need to remember he has not be convicted just charged. charged means the police are accusing him. Yet to be determined what happened on that night it could have been self defense.

[@cornpipe]

There was an altercation initiated by the victim and he got stabbed - The Ottawa Citizen

[@speromeliora604]

I tend to agree. It doesn't make any sense that one man would be the aggressor against two men. Apparently the victim was stabbed. I'm assuming the accused was carrying a knife. Odd - most law abiding people don't carry knives.

[@loosemouthcowboy4790]

3.2 mil for that shack lol.

[@rockyjohnson9243]

It's nicer and bigger inside than it appears

[@JH-82-d7j]

Welcome to Vancouver Canada, No one can afford to live here. 3.2 for a shack is correct

[@susancraig3989]

Kerrisdale is the most exclusive part of Vancouver. It's not the house so much that's valuable, it's the location of the property. Probably still a good investment at that price.

[@JH-82-d7j]

@@susancraig3989 I understand, but a good investment for who? Already wealthy people.

[@susancraig3989]

@@JH-82-d7j the point is that it's continuing still to become more valuable. You need obviously to be able to afford to buy it to invest in it.

[@guyhickey3343]

What’s the value of the house have to deal with the murder?😂😂😂stick to the story..

[@stoneneils]

Honeslty that is the story lol. We're all amazed.

[@guyhickey3343]

@@stoneneils 😂

[@stephenmorris9704]

3.25 million for that house is a crime ,and it's being talked to death by 3/4 's of the country.

[@1q3er5]

3.5 mill dumpster diver house

[@user-ue1pv1wv7o]

innocent before guilty people; we're not in china or russia. this should not even be in public unless there is a conviction. you can't take it back even if found not guilty.

[@michaelpigott6056]

Imagine carrying that around for 28 years! You kill someone in a fight, you're guilty of manslaughter at the very least.

[@maciejguzek3442]

Unless it is self defence, then you aren't. (Of course I don't claim it was, as we don't know)

[@michaelpigott6056]

@@maciejguzek3442 It would be tough to use that as a defence, considering he should have come forward all those years ago once he knew he killed the guy

[@mc5071]

I went back and read the old news archives. Sounds like self-defense. It was Larry who actually called 911 too

[@hirsch4155]

He called for an ambulance for himself because he was also injured. There was a trail of blood from the scene of the stabbing to the phone booth where he made the call. I guess he disappeared after the call.

[@davidlynch9049]

Ya, sure. That's why he took off and never came forward. 🙄🤷🏻

[@mc5071]

​@@davidlynch9049 he got spooked - bad move but it kind of paid off for him. Anyways, it's 100x more believable than the cousin's story. We're supposed to believe an out-of-town meteorologist/engineer in his 40s (who happens to be the head of BC Soccer) randomly attacked two men half his age on a bridge? No way lol. There's a more obvious explanation and it explains why the cousin was so vague about what happened

[@SportySport-um8ik]

the VICTIM had a witness who was also injured FFS!!

[@Atite_Lometen]

It sounds like they tried to pick a fight with the wrong guy for sure, in 1996 everyone from ottawa used to cross to hull for an extra hour of liquor serving, Ottawa last call was at 2pm and Gatineau was at 3am, the majority of guys crossing used to go there to pick up fights, they used to close the street and there would be a brawl in the bar block every Friday and Saturday, I bet this guys were coming from there with the itching of fighting and met the wrong guy.

[@davedismantled]

Wonder if they matched the DNA because the dude did a 23 and Me or similar genealogy test.....AND, how do we know this was not self defense or other type of incident? If they had the guys DNA from the scene, maybe it was blood from a punch or something.

[@jake-qn3tl]

Probably because they investigated it

[@nskr160]

That’s why everyone moves to my province, you can buy 7 very nice houses twice size for the same price. Ridiculous.

[@ronthomas3029]

Well at least they care about murder, but certainly not rape.(Rehtaea Parsons)

[@1jbunceiii]

I am predicting a not guilty, news articles says it was self defense when they attacked him and he called 911. we will see

[@kevinbarry3548]

Wow, you have a crystal ball to the truth! Amazing! Why don't we have this gift that you have been blessed with. Life is so unfair!!!

[@tarnsand440]

If it's self defense you call 911.

[@michaelpigott6056]

He should have turned himself in back when it happened. There was a witness (the victim's cousin) who gave a statement at the time of the killing, even admitting that it was the victim who started it.

[@dashoverton1963]

He is still guilty of killing a man. He will be found guilty of something.

[@yourconnection9303]

Killers don't have bells around their neck to alert you that they are one.

[@hunna5849]

there's no way he didn't think he'd gotten away with murder 😮 wow some men are so wicked

[@audaciouscitizen.9313]

Casey Anthony 👀

[@rockyjohnson9243]

It's not that hard when you don't know the person.

[@Ketowski]

Supposedly the OP tried to attack him. He got control of the knife, stabbed him and called an ambulance. Some on discussion boards think it was an attempted gay bashing, even though he’s not gay. I’m sure more will come out in a trial.

[@g.m3399]

He pretty much did he’s 73 years old now .

[@annveronica7795]

Diehl must have stepped out of line for charges to be laid after all this time.

[@surfdog4301]

OPS has a very poor track record.

[@davida6146]

Isn't there a statute of limitations?

[@grievingmom]

not for murder, no

[@JoeFarmer87]

Now if only they would work this hard on charing the people on the Epstein and Diddy lists..

[@SportySport-um8ik]

There are a LOT of pics with him and First Lady Trump partying..Epstein's "suicide" is suspect as hell

[@Kari-j1q]

You do realize that's in a different country. And it took nearly 30 years to solve this.

[@TrollingRacist-ng9fd]

Joe you mad this getting reported on stay mad 👿

[@keithbraham6438]

Trump was a regular in Epstein's parties and for years there have been pics of them together including on Trump's plane..Epstein's so called "suicide" is as suspect as Hell..

[@SportySport-um8ik]

JoeFarmer87: You should drop the MAGA hat for a MIA hat (Morons in America) hat😂

[@codyshilling9780]

Damn dude killed a man and then became a productive member of society for the rest of the years unfortunately there will always be consequences for your actions no matter how much time has passed.

[@smokeskull]

Fortunately he appears to be able to fund his own legal defense.

[@ዐጸዐጸዐጸዐጸዐጸ]

What was the reason(s) the cops decided to use DNA genetic genealogy on Larry? Was there a tip off? Were there witnesses in the area of the stabbing?

[@daniel213141]

Someone related to the suspect could have banked their DNA and they may have connected to him that way. I believe that's how they caught the golden state killer.

[@tarnsand440]

Maybe the dna match was from a relative.

[@daniel213141]

@@tarnsand440 My thoughts exactly. The golden state killer was caught that way.

[@JustVisiting-q1w]

In an "autoa" (Ottawa) cold case? Whatever robot writes the subtitles for Crime Beat TV needs to go back to school.

[@dashoverton1963]

Glad that they caught the murderer.

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

If I am guessing, and strictly guessing, most likely what happened was that the dead guy and his cousin tried to rob Lawrence or beat him up and he stabbed them and one died. He took off in panic to avoid legal, etc. If that is the case, this media story is spinning it differently and trying to say he murdered them without cause. Poor reporting. Let's hope my interpretation is correct and he is exonerated.

[@brianmardy9860]

This story raises serious questions about how police utilize their scarce resources - It’s comforting to know a 30 year old case has been solved while hundreds of current crimes and even crimes in progress aren’t being addressed!

[@fredhoy6697]

Let's not rush to judgement. It's not a done deal. Just because someone has been arrested does not mean they're guilty. Thanks is what the trial is for.

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

Don’t need no stinking trial

[@biggerminds523]

Its Canada, its soulless

[@gerismith1218]

Sounds like self defense. Panicked and ran which isn't good.

[@ijsk7930]

How’s the house value relevant to anything in this story?

[@stephenmorris9704]

It isn't, it's just a bigger crime to some .

[@ijsk7930]

@ No I get that. I like the jokes. I mean what is the media mentioning it for.

[@chrisbarrington798]

That house cost what??? Thats cold 🥶

[@scuffmacgillicutty7509]

Looking forward to the police interrogation Crime Beat TV.

[@alternativeartattic]

I really hope this came out of the blue for him!

[@spyderativ2438]

Wow police is so so competent.. will he be released?

[@kenchorney2724]

Did he use an assault knife? Guess we better enact a knife ban, right Trudeau?

[@Moellmoell]

*I’m just shocked that little ass house cost 3.2 million smh stop it, my house looks a lot better than that and it’s a lot bigger and cost less than half a million*

[@rinalore9416]

If that's his $Million$ dollar home in BC, my first home was bigger (2,700 sq ft) on 2 lots in Ontario (30 minutes from Ottawa and Montreal) and I paid ~$80,000. That doesn't make real Realtor cents/sense!

[@jonnybalz]

What's seriously wrong with this story is that the house is worth 3.2.million. How the hell is that?

[@polishdude001]

Vancouver lol

[@DaveOcto]

I'm interested to hear the situation of what occurred during the altercation. Two against one in the middle of the night and you have a knife in your pocket might lead to something like this. But not telling anyone for this long is pretty sus.

[@alexthornton672]

VANCOUVER IS SCREWED. OVER 3 MILLION FOR HIS HOME....WHAT A JOKE.

[@deedeerouse419]

It took 4 years ????

[@Maplehornet416]

Can't wait to hear what the motive was for that murder...

[@speromeliora604]

Probably self defense but interesting he was carrying a knife.

[@SnowPink90]

Like the older neighbour said, You just don’t know. Then you have the comment from the other neighbor, and it doesn’t sound like this guy who’s up for murder was a very nice neighbour to say the least. I guess they’ll be selling that house to pay for lawyers fees. I feel sorry for the guy‘s wife. If he did in fact, do that to Mr. Smith that means that she’s been married to a murder all these years. Poor woman unless she knew about it.

[@DavidM2002]

Who cares what the house was assessed for.

[@stephenmorris9704]

Everyone in Canada that can't afford one cares .

[@AsiaOceans-nx5lr]

Well Laurence… didn’t you receive a very big Christmas surprise!!

[@PD-hv4js]

I'd wait for all the facts to come out before any conclusions are made.

[@Vibealive77]

I remember Chris from high school...

[@VictoriaGirlBC]

Jesus!! Talk about flying under the radar. He’s a ferry ride from where I live 🇨🇦

[@davesmithson5634]

Ya if the ferries are running.

[@VictoriaGirlBC]

@ good answer!! 🤣

[@pacman3556]

and just a plane ride and ferry ride away from a lot of Canadians. Crazy....you just never know.

[@Merakis100]

It's weird because his neighbours seem even more fond of him as a killer. Maybe somebody ought to investigate that!?:P

[@powershop1903]

Once again: police used genealogy websites information

[@mikeduncan792]

Exactly! He ratted on himself !

[@Kari-j1q]

@@mikeduncan792 More likely, it was a relative who used the genealogy site.

[@XcmxMccqx]

So they got his DNA from ancestry?

[@user-6kiu4jht-xh8]

For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. ~ Luke 8:17

[@JohnnyPerth]

Glad they got him

[@arlinearzuca1479]

Omg…..how ppl can live and pretend that like nothing happened? Poor victims was gone, and this man lives in 3,5 M house….life is not fear…..💔💔💔💔🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@rockyjohnson9243]

when you don't know the other person it makes it much easier

[@Atite_Lometen]

It sounds like self defence to be honest.

[@TH3_P1GG135]

I don't know what's a worse crime, the fact he murdered someone or that a house as hideous as that can have an evaluation of 3.25 million dollars. Like, seriously. Who is paying that much for houses like that..... Lol I wouldn't pay $200k for that. Why in the hell would all these people sell their houses become millionaires then move somewhere dirt cheap and be rich. Lol

[@SpicyPeach3-w3h]

Oh m g Canada can't even paternity test ethically this is no surprise

[@sherinebeckford6304]

I think he will sleep better; thats a long time to carry that guilt around, whether its srlf defense or not.

[@ELouie-rn3be]

Time to face it

[@pjbth]

Good this wa solved but this is ottawas major crime division distracting from the fact they couldnt solve and get a conviction for a murder if it happened in their lobby If they didnt bust gang bangers theyd solve nothing what about the potential srrial killer in smiths falls too OPP

[@UK-sm4co]

Unlikely suspect

[@kingkree1]

So they most likely got his DNA from 23 and me or ancestry.

[@petertrout7866]

It will always catch up to you.

[@rockyjohnson9243]

Only because DNA is a thing today. However now they just burn the victims

[@emo333vampire]

yay justice!

[@Noneofyourbizzzz]

He looks co co

[@toads5200]

Usual suspects

[@SMOOVKILL1]

Wheres all the Treadeu's Canada in this comment section.😂

[@OG-Anetka]

😮 After obtaining _"critical evidence the case went cold..."_ hmm.i wonder why... he worked for the Govt. 🤔

[@007bombastic]

And there it is, the dumbest comment of the day. Bravo.

[@AM-my3jk]

Would have just been easier to frame Trudeau. Smh. You had one job.

[@JahmBProducts]

He looks usual

[@brockobama4408]

You blind? He's not black

[@SportySport-um8ik]

@@brockobama4408 That IS the point genius

[@ruckinehround6965]

Stabber eh. Must be a liberal too.

[@stoneneils]

We dont use weapons peanut. We're men. Well..some of us are still men at least lol.. the older ones.

[@Mike-g4i4b]

!!!!! 🤣🤣

[@TheBohemianStyle]

Why would the media knock on his door knowing he isn’t there? You think the wife would open the door for you!🤨Glad he was caught.

[@tonye4176]

He looks slippery too

[@RoMil-z2f]

He looks scary

[@ronmason1710]

3.25 million will be handed over to the family whose loved one was taken away from this murder, in a wrongful death lawsuit, right?

[@roberttorrance731]

Well, I guess the Mrs will be getting the house, cars and bank accounts! AND she’ll want to know if the life insurance covers shiving in prison?

[@canadiantraveller281]

I can understand certain things about Vancouver, like , I will pay $8 for a really good London fog for my wife , of course, with oat milk , but I'm not paying $6 for a 🥐.

[@nick9099]

3.25 million for that shit?LOL