Orillia OPP lay first-degree murder charge in 'historic' case going back over 12 years
Orillia OPP has laid a charge of first-degree murder in the death of a man who was first reported missing more than 12 years ago.
On Monday, provincial police charged 62-year-old Antonino Lucia from Woodbridge, Ont., in connection to the death of Morris Conte.
Conte was last seen in Caledon in May 2010. He was 45 years old and a father of four at the time of his disappearance.
According to his family at the time, Conte was meeting up with Lucia before he died.
"Apparently, going for a coffee," said Beth Conte, Morris Conte's former wife.
Police say Conte's remains were discovered spread out in both the Sugarbush area of Oro-Medonte and on Maplehurst Road in Lake of Bays Township the following day, May 22, 2010. Then, on May 28, additional remains were found on Stoneleigh Road in Bracebridge.
The remains were confirmed to be Conte's through a post-mortem investigation.
Police had said his remains were left in locations where they would be easily found. Investigators said his murder and what was done with his body may have been a message or warning to others.
In July 2011, police arrested Sam Lucia and charged him with accessory after death and committing an indignity to a human body.
The charges against Sam Lucia, Antonino Lucia's son, were later withdrawn.
Police say the case is far from closed.
"The investigation is still ongoing, and a $50,000 reward is still being offered," noted OPP Sgt. Brett Boniface.
Anyone with any details to share, big or small, is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
With files from CTV's Mike Arsalides
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.