After a homicide case of a 23-year-old woman in Vancouver remained unsolved for 26 years, B.C. RCMP announced today (November 29) that charges have finally been laid against a suspect, who was arrested in Ontario.

Vicki Black, who was 23 years old, was found dead in East Vancouver in March 1993.

According to news reports, Vancouver police received a report around 5 a.m. on March 4, someone discovered Black’s body in a Dumpster behind 2092 East Hastings Street near Victoria Drive.  

The Vancouver Police Department, after reviewing the case, had referred the file to investigators at the integrated Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit, who were able to identify a suspect and gathered enough evidence to support charges.

The homicide unit and the Hamilton Police Service arrested Stephen Laroche in Oakville, Ontario. Laroche, born in 1968, is now charged with second-degree murder for the death of Black.

He appeared in court in Vancouver today and his next appearance in court will be on December 2.

B.C. RCMP Supt. Cita Airth stated in a news release that they hope the charges will help to provide some sense of closure for Black’s family and friends.

The Black family issued a statement thanking those involved with the investigation.

“The family will not be making any further statements,” the release reads. “We ask everyone to respect this decision and our privacy.”