Family of murdered man found dismembered in Oro-Medonte, Muskoka, seeks answers with arrest
Warning: Some readers may find the details in this article disturbing.
The family of a man whose body was discovered dismembered and scattered in Oro-Medonte and Muskoka more than 12 years ago say it hopes to find closure with a recent arrest in the historic case.
Last week, police charged Antonino Lucia, 62, of Woodbridge, Ont., with first-degree murder in the death of Morris Conte.
In a statement to police, the Conte family said it has endured "pain and anger" since Morris' "brutal" death.
"It has been especially hard on our elderly parents, but with the news we received last week, we feel relieved and hopeful that we will finally have some answers to our many questions."
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Morris Conte was 45 at the time of his death and a father of four. He disappeared in May 2010.
That same month, police said the Bolton man's remains were found in fields in Oro-Medonte and Lake of Bays townships - roughly two hours apart by car. Days later, police said a contractor found more body parts on the side of a road near Bracebridge.
In 2011, the victim's mother broke her silence to appeal for information on her son's murder.
"I think of Morris every day, and I cry. I miss him. I miss him so much," she said, standing beside her other son, Morris' twin. "What did he do to deserve this? Did he suffer?"
Police had previously charged 27-year-old Sam Lucia in 2011 with accessory after death and committing an indignity to a human body. Those charges were later withdrawn.
Police say the case is far from closed and offers a $50,000 reward for information.
Lucia stood in the prisoner's box in court Tuesday morning with the Crown promising historical disclosure during the trial. He is scheduled for another appearance in an Orangeville, Ont. courtroom on Nov. 1.
"We pray that justice will be served and that we can finally move forward with our lives again," the family stated.
"As old wounds and grief are resurrected with this news, we ask that our privacy please be respected during this difficult time," the statement concluded.
The allegations against Antonino Lucia have yet to be tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.