Thomas Feeney

Thomas Feeney was a man deeply rooted in the history and soil of Rossland, British Columbia. Born and raised in the mountain town, the 75-year-old male was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose Irish immigrant family had settled in the area for generations, so much so that the road he lived on bore their name. Known as an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, Tom, as he was known, was also a talented curler in his younger years, having once competed in the Brier, Canada's national men's curling championship. His son-in-law, Colin Lohrer, remembered him as a man who loved nothing more than to sit and share a good story. His nephew, Peter Corrado, described him as an Irishman in a very social sense, who would welcome visitors into his home.

That welcoming nature may have been tragically exploited on June 5, 2014. On that Thursday, at around 11 a.m., the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to Tom Feeney’s home on Feeney Road after his body was discovered inside. Investigators from the Southeast District Major Crime Unit determined that Feeney was the victim of a violent homicide that occurred during a break-and-enter. Police quickly came to believe the attack was a random incident or a crime of opportunity, a shocking event in the typically low-crime community. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death, but authorities have withheld those specific details to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The scene at the rural property revealed that the perpetrator or perpetrators had stolen a number of specific and valuable items. Missing was a 40-inch Emerson LCD television, a crossbow with white markings, a Fox double-barrel shotgun, a clay pigeon thrower, and ammunition reloading equipment. Most notably, five firearms were taken, including a 30/30 lever-action rifle with a saddle ring and an extremely rare and distinctive vintage rifle: a Pedersoli/Cimarron Arms 1874 Sharps 45-70 with a unique octagon-shaped barrel, firing mechanism, and sight. Police released images and detailed descriptions of the missing items, hoping someone would recognize them and provide a lead.

The investigation was extensive from the start, with the BC RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit being assisted by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit and the Kootenay Boundary Regional General Investigation Section. The area around Feeney’s home was cordoned off as the Forensic Identification Section conducted a thorough review, and investigators canvassed the neighborhood for any information. At a press conference shortly after the murder, RCMP Supt. Tim Head acknowledged the disturbing nature of the crime. “We know that crimes of this nature, especially one involving a great man, like Tom Feeney, is disturbing,” he said, assuring the public that the case was a priority investigation with all necessary resources deployed.

The family was left devastated and searching for answers. At the same press conference, with his head bowed in grief, son-in-law Colin Lohrer spoke on behalf of the family. “We are all in shock to know he has been taken from us in such a tragic way,” he said. “It has been a devastating blow to our family… We need to know why this happened and we need the individual or individuals responsible to be identified and charged.” Feeney’s nephew pleaded for the public’s help. “We really need the public to rally around this and we need to get this person off the street because if they can do it to Tom, they’ll do it to someone else,” Corrado stated.

Years have passed, but the case has never been closed. In February 2022, RCMP media relations confirmed that the investigation into Thomas Feeney's homicide remains open and active. Sgt. Janelle Shoihet emphasized that for the RCMP, no case is ever truly cold. She explained that while the flow of tips may ebb and flow, investigators use lulls to review evidence and explore new avenues. "Each investigation is unique and every one is given the time and meticulous investigation it deserves," Shoihet said. "We know that these are someone’s loved one and each investigation is important."

As of February 2022, none of the stolen items have been recovered, and no arrests have been made. The violent, random killing of a beloved patriarch on his family’s ancestral land remains an unsolved crime that haunts the community of Rossland. Police continue to seek new information from the public and encourage anyone who knows anything about the death of Thomas Feeney or the whereabouts of his stolen belongings to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call the RCMP tipline at 1-877-987-8477 or, to remain anonymous, contact BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.