In a significant breakthrough, Toronto police have apprehended Ronald Gordon Ackerman, a 50-year-old man hailing from Gander, Newfoundland, and charged him with first-degree murder, nearly 26 years after the tragic murder of a pregnant woman.

The arrest, which took place last week, was made possible through DNA evidence and renewed public interest sparked by a Toronto Police Service podcast featuring cold cases and a viral YouTube video soliciting information on the case.

Ackerman was taken into custody on Thursday at Toronto Pearson Airport and is facing first-degree murder charges. Details about the case remain sparse, and he has since been held in custody in Toronto.

Donna Oglive, who was just 24 years old at the time of her death, had moved to Toronto mere weeks before she was found murdered. Working in the sex trade, her tragic fate has haunted investigators for decades. Detective Sgt. Stephen Smith discussed details in the police podcast from 2021, emphasizing the challenges of the investigation.

Oglive’s body was discovered on March 8, 1998, in a parking lot located at the intersection of Carlton Street and Jarvis Street, an area known for its history with sex work. At the time of her death, she was approximately four months pregnant.

“In those days, hotels and condos weren’t as prevalent, so many sex workers were operating on the streets,” Smith noted.

With no surveillance cameras in the vicinity at the time and scant details about the suspect, the investigation faced significant hurdles. However, police managed to extract a male DNA profile from the evidence, though it yielded no matches for years.

In December 2019, the Toronto Police Service released a video on YouTube, reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying the individual linked to the DNA evidence. “We need a name to connect with this DNA,” said Sgt. Stacy Gallant in the video.

By 2022, the police team collaborated with Orthram, a genetics lab based in The Woodlands, Texas. From the submitted DNA, scientists developed an enhanced profile of the suspect, which led to fresh leads and further investigation, according to Michael Vogen, the case management director at Orthram.

“For 26 years, our team has worked tirelessly to deliver justice for Donna Oglive and her family. Thanks to advancements in forensic science and the relentless dedication of our partners, we have reached this stage,” Smith remarked in a statement.