Colin Jardine

Colin Jardine, a 23-year-old male, was in the wrong place at the very worst time. On the night of Tuesday, October 21, 2003, he was simply visiting friends at their home at 188 Maplewood Avenue in Hamilton, Ontario. That friendly visit turned tragic in a sudden burst of violence, ending a young life and leaving a case that continues to haunt his loved ones and the city's investigators more than two decades later.

The evening was shattered at approximately 10:45 p.m. when four armed and masked men forced their way into the Maplewood Avenue residence. The intruders, described by police as Black males, stormed into the home and immediately began demanding money from the people inside. When their demands for cash were not met, the situation escalated with terrifying speed and brutality. The assailants physically attacked Colin Jardine, punching him before one of them fired a gun. A frantic 911 call was placed from inside the home, and Hamilton Police responded, but it was too late to save the young man's life.

From the outset of their investigation, detectives with the Hamilton Police Service believed that the violent home invasion was not a random act. Evidence suggested that the address itself was specifically targeted by the attackers. However, investigators quickly concluded that Colin was not the person the assailants were after. He was an innocent visitor, a guest who had dropped by to see his friends and was tragically caught in a violent crime that police believe was meant for someone else. The motive appeared to be a robbery that went horribly wrong, ending in the murder of an unintended victim.

The investigation into Colin's death, filed under Hamilton Police Service Case Number 03521380, has remained open and active for over twenty years. The case is featured on the service's list of unsolved homicides, a stark and persistent reminder that justice has not yet been found for the young man whose life was stolen. The core details have not faded with time: four armed, masked men whose violent actions resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. Police are certain that there are people in the community who hold information about the identities of the four men responsible for the home invasion and murder.

Cold cases present unique challenges for law enforcement. At the time of a murder, witnesses are often reluctant to speak to police because they fear retaliation from the perpetrators or their associates. However, investigators know that as years pass, circumstances can change. Relationships fracture, allegiances shift, and the heavy burden of silence can compel someone to finally come forward with what they know. The fact that Colin was an innocent victim makes the continued silence of those with information all the more difficult for his family and investigators to bear.

As of October 2023, Colin Jardine's murder remains an open and ongoing investigation. The Hamilton Police Service continues to believe that public assistance is the key to solving this homicide. Investigators hope that someone's conscience, or a change in their situation, will lead them to break their silence and provide the crucial information needed to identify the men responsible for Colin's death. Even a seemingly small or insignificant detail could be the missing piece that allows detectives to finally close the case.

The Hamilton Police Service urges anyone with information about the home invasion on Maplewood Avenue or the individuals involved to come forward. Those with information are asked to contact Staff Sergeant Dave Oleniuk of the Major Crime Unit at 905-546-3829. For individuals who wish to provide information while remaining anonymous, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.