Case Number
97-309963

Circumstances
On December 2nd 2004 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Police responded to apartment 903 at 226 Rebecca St. in the City of Hamilton.  Upon entering the apartment they discovered the body of a 79-year-old grandmother.

Thelma Clapham died as a result of blunt force trauma in her ninth floor apartment, where she had lived alone for the past four years.  There was no sign of forced entry to the apartment.  Police have yet to determine a motive for the slaying.

Hamilton Police Service Homicide Unit is seeking the community’s help in their continuing investigation into the killing of Thelma Clapham. The investigation, which has included police interviewing over a hundred and fifty people and forensic work, has painted part of the picture. Police now have information that a female may have been involved in this crime.  Although no weapon has been recovered investigators also believe they know what was used to kill the victim.

On November the 21st 2005 at the Hamilton Police Service Board meeting a reward of $5,000 was approved in the Thelma Clapham Homicide Case.

The investigation by Hamilton Police Homicide Unit has led to 200 people being interviewed and three search warrants being executed. This has resulted in investigators becoming aware that there are people in our community who have knowledge as to who is responsible for this brutal crime. Unfortunately for various reasons these people are reluctant to come forward.

“We are hoping that this reward will be the impetus that these individuals need to speak to us. Homicide Investigators will not rest until this senseless crime is solved”, said Detective Staff Sergeant Peter Abi-Rashed.

Anyone with information on this murder is asked to contact Det. Greg Jackson at 905-546-41267, Det. Greg Rodzoniak at 905-546-4863 or call Hamilton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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