Two arrested for murder at Bishop Lake - Drownings at Brule Lake, Little Cranberry Lake

Jeff Green | Jul 31, 2023

A homicide investigation is under way in North Frontenac, 

Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a homicide near Bishop Lake. Members of the Frontenac Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a disturbance call shortly before 6:30p.m. on July 29, 2023.

Frontenac Paramedic Services (EMS) responded, but the 22-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene.  Officers on scene arrested Cory FINCH, 39-years-old of Marmora, ON and Michelle Lee FINCH, 41-years-old of Stone Mills Township. Both are charged with Second Degree Murder, contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code.

There is no threat to public safety.

The accused persons will be held in custody pending a bail hearing. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Frontenac OPP Crime Unit and OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), and in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS).

If anyone has information regarding the investigation, they are asked to call the Frontenac OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.

FRONTENAC OPP INVESTIGATING TWO FATAL MARINE INCIDENTS

 On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at about 8pm members of Frontenac Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with North Frontenac Fire Rescue and Lennox and Addington Paramedic Services responded to a marine incident on Brule Lake in North Frontenac Township. Reports indicated that a fishing vessel with 4 individuals on board had capsized, and one individual was unaccounted for. None of the involved individuals were wearing life jackets, however three made it to shore while the fourth individual went beneath the water and did not resurface. The OPP's Aviation Services attended the scene to assist in the search, however despite an exhaustive search, Police and Fire were unable to locate the individual in the water and suspended the search overnight to await the arrival of the OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU).

Shortly after 9pm the next evening,  the missing individual was located in the lake by members of the USRU. The 51 year old individual from the Durham Region was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Office of the Chief Coroner are assisting with the investigation, however no foul play is suspected.

On Sunday, July 30,  shortly before 11am members of Frontenac OPP along with South Frontenac Fire Rescue and the Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Service responded to a marine collision on Little Cranberry Lake which is part of the Rideau system. Reports indicated that a vessel and a kayak had collided and the individual in the kayak had been critically injured. Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and a 45 year old individual from Kawartha Lakes was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An OPP Technical Collision Investigator (TCI) and a Collision Reconstructionist attended the scene, and are assisting with the investigation. The Office of the Chief Coroner are also assisting Police, however no foul play is suspect. At this time, the collision remains under investigation and no charges have been laid. This release will be updated when more information becomes available.