How the latest DNA tech cracked a Toronto cold case

Plus, uproar over Trudeau's Jamaican vacation and Toronto's EA shortage [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on a 1982 murder solved, Justin Trudeau’s Jamaican vacation and support staff shortages at GTA schools. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov crime [Toronto police solved the 1982 murder of a “fun-loving” antique dealer using the latest DNA tech]( On May 17, 1982, Kevin McBride was stabbed to death in his Scarborough apartment. In a Star article at the time, the 47-year-old was described as a “fun-loving” window dresser, antique dealer and interior designer originally from Australia. He wasn’t associated with criminality and, as his car and credit cards were used after his death, investigators suspected the killer entered his home to rob him, Betsy Powell reports. The case remained unsolved until the Toronto police homicide cold case unit revisited it in 2016. [Here’s how investigative genetic genealogy finally helped police to crack the case](. - Context: Genetic genealogy involves taking DNA from a crime scene, using DNA sequencing to build a genetic profile of a family and submitting the profile to a consumer DNA testing service. Through that process, police find close, though not exact, matches and then require further research. - The aftermath: Police identified William Taylor as a suspect, but he died of cancer last year at age 75. If he were alive, police said Monday they would have charged him with first-degree murder. Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld federal politics [Ottawa is defending another free vacation for Justin Trudeau at a luxury resort]( Justin Trudeau’s recent family vacation to Jamaica has raised eyebrows for its host, price and locale, Stephanie Levitz reports. Before the trip, the Prime Minister’s Office told The Canadian Press the family would be covering the cost of the Dec. 26 to Jan. 4 stay, but clarified a day before it ended that the Trudeaus were staying at a “no cost” location owned by family friends. As is customary, they would reimburse the costs associated with the use of government aircraft. Facing questions, the newly-appointed Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon reiterated that the vacation was cleared in advance with the ethics commissioner. [Here’s what we know](. - Context: The National Post reported the Trudeaus were staying at the Prospect Estate resort, where they were given free use of a villa by longtime family friend Peter Green. Typically, a stay would cost about USD $6,900 per night. - More: The Trudeaus spent the holidays last year at the same resort. Documents later tabled in the House of Commons showed the trip cost taxpayers at least $160,000, factoring in the obligatory costs for Trudeau’s security detail and the need to have staff accompany him to handle government business. R.J. Johnston/The Star education [“Enormous” support staff shortages at GTA schools are impacting student learning and safety]( Being an educational assistant (EA) means working with some of the most vulnerable students in the system, Isabel Teotonio writes. EA Habiba Aden has been punched, kicked and head-butted, and when a colleague is absent, the challenges of working with students who have complex needs mount. As GTA schools face a staff shortage, educational assistants are increasingly fewer and farther between, the president of the Ontario Principals’ Council told the Star. He says their wages are low — the lowest in the classroom — which makes recruitment and retention difficult. [Are existing efforts to improve classroom conditions good enough?]( - Context: The province is responsible for setting policies that govern the allocation of funds, but it’s up to the boards to use the money based on local need. This gives them flexibility to make decisions about staffing and program delivery. - More: A key challenge for elementary schools has been the reduction of lunchroom supervisors; some schools no longer have one for each kindergarten class. WHAT ELSE As two young men face horrors in Gaza, their loved ones [vie for the limited number of visas available to those with family in Canada](. A major winter storm headed for Ontario could give way to flurries for much of the week — [and a messy commute on Tuesday.]( Olivia Chow’s first Toronto budget will be unveiled Wednesday. [These are the key questions being asked](. Four of 11 people accused in the Indigo vandalism case have [made their first court appearance](. A judge has ruled that a man who allegedly shot five people in a “random” Toronto drive-by [shouldn’t have got bail](. Family and friends demanded justice at a visitation for an [Indian couple murdered in Caledon](. Hayley Wickenheiser went to “the end of the world” to go pro. [Now, the Professional Women’s Hockey League is allowing players to stay home](. William Nylander bet on himself and won. [Here’s what to know about the largest contract in Maple Leafs history](. Inflation and interest rates got you down? [A poll shows the extent of pessimism across the country](. Counting calories and cutting out fats are [common diet mistakes that can do more harm than good](. POV Steve Russell/The Star [What good are new noise bylaws if Toronto doesn't enforce the rules it already has?]( CLOSE-UP Facebook THORNHILL: Court documents identify Benjamin Berelovich as an infant who died on Thursday. A 37-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree murder in his death. [Here’s what we know about the case](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_206819). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get unlimited access to the Star Limited time offer: Only $4 for your first 8 weeks [Get This Offer]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](