Vancouver man charged in historic Ottawa murder case using advanced DNA testing

By Natasha O'Neill

Posted December 16, 2024 10:34 am.

Last Updated December 16, 2024 10:49 am.

A Vancouver man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to the historical stabbing death of Christopher Smith.

In the early hours of April 12, 1996, Smith was stabbed to death on the Portage Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau. Police have now used advanced DNA testing to lay charges in the 22-year-old’s death.

Lawrence Diehl, 73, was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 10 and returned to the nation’s capital on Dec. 13.

This is a breaking news story more to come.

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