New Leads Sought In Prince Rupert Cold Case

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

The victims:  Helga Rochon and grandaughter, Kimberly Dumais, Sherri Rochon and Pauline Rochon (Kimberly's mother)  photos courtesy BC RCMP

(caution: the following article contains a graphic description)

Prince George, B.C. -  Yesterday marked 21-years since a deliberately-set fire claimed the lives of four family members, including an infant, in the community of Prince Rupert...

In the early morning hours of February 5th, 1990, the Prince Rupert Fire Department was called out to a blaze in the Brooks Bank Building.  The fire was fully involved when crews arrived at the three-story building and it took hours to extinguish the flames.  When investigators examined the damage in the aftermath, the bodies of the four victims were discovered in a third-floor apartment suite.

45-year-old Helga Rochon, her daughters, 26-year-old Sherri Rochon and 19-year-old Pauline Rochon, along with Pauline's seven-month-old daughter, Kimberly, perished in the blaze. 

The original lead investigator says he remembers very clearly, to this day, the moment they discovered the victims.  "I still think about the moment," says Staff-Sergeant Garry Kerr.  "The scene was horrific.  I can still see them huddled together in the living room area, the small child still in her mother's arms.  I can't imagine the horror they went through."

Helga was a single mother who worked as a waitress at the local cafe in the Crest Hotel.  She was said to be well-liked by her regular customers and described as a loving and supportive mother.  Her daughters were said to be just starting their own family lives in the community and had been visiting their mother on the night they died.  Pauline had brought Kimberly along for the visit.

Local RCMP investigators worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the tragedy.  But, despite neighbourhood canvasses, numerous interviews and following up on a number of leads, the investigation did not lead to charges.  Police have not ruled out that the victims may have been targeted.

The investigation was reviewed by the North District Major Crime Unit and taken on by the BC Unsolved Homicide Unit two years ago.  Corporal Rob Burrett is a spokesperson for that unit.  "The investigation, as it stands right now, is still active, still very open and we're pursuing all leads and all avenues at this point."

Burrett says police accept that many years have passed, but they still believe that there are individuals out there with information that may move the case forward. (click on photo at right for video clip)

"To the public: no tip is too small, we want to follow that up," says the corporal.  "And, again, because 21-years is far too long to wait we believe that this file definitely needs closure - not only for the victims' families - but also for the communty of Prince Rupert, itself."

Police point out that Tim Dumais, Kimberly's father, never got to see his child grow up and say he, and other surviving family members and friends, want the individual responsible to be brought to justice before another anniversary comes and goes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the BC Unsolved Homicide Unit at 1-877-543-4822 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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