Patricia Paraszczuk

Patricia Paraszczuk, known to her loved ones as Trisha, was a popular and intelligent young woman with a bright future. At 26 years old, the registered nurse was dedicated to her career at Hamilton's General Hospital in Ontario, Canada. Her family remembered the beauty of her smile and the music of her laughter long after she was gone. Born on June 11, 1955, Trisha was a professional with her whole life ahead of her, but that future was stolen in an act of brutal violence that has remained a mystery for decades.

On the cold evening of Wednesday, March 3, 1982, a fire broke out at Trisha’s home at 944 Montclair Avenue in East Hamilton. Alerted by the sight of flames, neighbors rushed to the house and bravely broke down the doors, hoping to rescue her. Tragically, the intense fire and thick smoke overwhelmed their efforts, forcing them back. Once the Hamilton Fire Department managed to extinguish the blaze, they made a grim discovery inside the residence. Trisha’s body was found in the basement of her burned-out home.

The initial scene might have suggested a tragic accident, but an autopsy soon revealed a more sinister truth. Trisha had not died in the fire; she had been strangled to death before the flames were ever set. Investigators with the Hamilton Police Service quickly concluded that the fire was a deliberate act of arson, an attempt to destroy evidence and stage the murder to look like a suicide. A ligature was found around her neck, and within days, her death was officially ruled a homicide.

The investigation into the female nurse's murder, assigned case number 82009630, began immediately. Detectives learned that Trisha was in the process of a divorce at the time of her death, a personal detail that led them to scrutinize her relationships. Despite this line of inquiry, police were never able to gather enough evidence to establish a firm suspect or make an arrest. The case grew cold, but the questions surrounding who killed Trisha and why have never faded.

For Trisha’s family, the decades that followed have been marked by unending grief and a determined search for justice. She was survived by her parents, Floria and Ray Roach, and her sister, Cathy. Year after year, they placed memorial notices in local newspapers, ensuring that Trisha's name and her unsolved case would not be forgotten by the community. Her mother, Floria, passed away in 2006, and one of her final wishes to the lead detective was, "Don't give up on Trisha." Her father has also since passed away, but the family’s public remembrances of their "cherished daughter" continue, a testament to their enduring love and pain.

Decades later, the murder of Patricia Paraszczuk remains an open and active investigation with the Hamilton Police Service. As of March 2026, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been officially named. Police believe that over the years, relationships and loyalties may have changed, and they continue to appeal to the public for help. They have specifically encouraged witnesses who may have been reluctant to speak or tell the whole truth at the time to come forward now.

The Hamilton Police Service asks anyone with information about this homicide to contact the Major Crime Unit. Information can be directed to Staff Sergeant Dave Oleniuk at 905-546-3829. For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.