Credit: Charlottetown Police
After 35 years, police in Prince Edward Island, Canada have made an arrest in the chilling 1988 murder of a gay man that had the island’s LGBTQ+ community living in fear after the suspect hinted there would be more victims.
On Nov. 11, 1988, 36-year-old Byron Carr was murdered in his home in Charlottetown, Prince Edward’s Island. The teacher was strangled with a towel and stabbed multiple times. A message was written on the wall at the crime scene—“I will kill again.”
Not many people knew Carr was queer, it was a secret he kept that was only brought to light by his death.
“Unsolved for over 35 years, Byron’s murder caused trauma to generations of islanders, no one more impacted than his family and friends in the gay community,” said Charlottetown Police Chief Brad MacConnell. “His death occurred during a dark time in our province’s history, when members of the LGTBQ+ community did not feel welcome or accepted, forcing many like Byron to socialize in the shadows and take unnecessary risks.”
Police have long said they believe Carr had consensual sex with a young man he brought home, and presumed that person was his killer. They did not confirm or deny that with this arrest, citing an ongoing investigation.
What they did confirm was the arrest of two people related to the case.
On Jan. 25, 2024, the police arrested Todd Joseph Gallant, age 56, for the first-degree murder of Carr. Gallant would have been 21 at the time of the murder, and is confirmed to have lived in Charlottetown at that time.
A second individual was also arrested, but they were later released. Police did not reveal their name as they are still trying to deduce if the person had any involvement in the crime. For a long time, police believed there was an accomplice that showed up to the crime scene after the murder to help clean up. In 2013, they said they identified the accomplice, but that he had died 10 years earlier.
The Charlottetown police originally reopened Carr’s cold case in October 2007. They re-interviewed witnesses and suspects, took more DNA samples, released a sketch of a potential suspect, and worked to identify a tipster who seemed to have vital information about the case.
The police even released photos of underwear believed to have belonged to Carr’s killer, saying the size suggested a man small in stature. The front of the underwear had a section cut out that had DNA belonging to both a man—presumably the wearer—as well as a woman.
It’s this DNA that would ultimately break open the case. In Spring 2022, the police began working with Wyndham Forensics Group and Convergence Investigative Genetic Genealogy to apply advanced DNA testing techniques and forensic genetic genealogy to the case. Over time, they were able to identify Gallant as the prime suspect.
Gallant was cited for breaking and entering in 1981. He lived on the island in 1988, but left for the U.S. (Texas and Arkansas) at some point. Gallant returned to the island in 2022—before he officially became a suspect. The Charlottetown police are working with U.S. authorities to piece together the timeline of Gallant’s last 35 years.
During a press conference, an emotional McConnell thanked Carr’s family for their patience and support over the years.
“I only wish we could have provided these answers sooner,” said McConnell.
When asked by the media if this was indeed a hate crime, McConnell said: “The search for that particular answer is one we all want to know. The sensational note left at the crime scene would suggest it was. We’ve never been close-minded to what happened. Was it hate? Were there other factors? We’ve always, and the family has always, just wanted the truth and hopefully we can get that.”