Search continues for killer in 30-year-old Halifax murder case
Thirty years have passed since the tragic murder of Kimber Leanne Lucas in 1994, yet Halifax police are still actively searching for her killer. A recent news release from the Halifax Regional Police indicates that the investigation into Lucas’s death remains ongoing, with authorities believing that there are individuals who possess valuable information that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the case.
The lifeless body of Kimber Leanne Lucas, 25 years old and seven months pregnant at the time, was discovered on November 23, 1994, at a North Street location in Halifax. Investigators determined that Lucas had been in the vicinity of North and Maitland streets between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m. on the day of her tragic demise.
Halifax police are appealing to the public for any information that may aid in solving this cold case. Additionally, Lucas’s murder is included in the province’s Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, offering a financial reward of up to $150,000 for any details that lead to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for major unsolved crimes.
The history surrounding Kimber Leanne Lucas’s murder is marked by poignant details that shed light on her life and the impact of her untimely death. Despite the sometimes harsh portrayal of Lucas in the media at the time, highlighting her involvement in sex work, criminal record, and drug use, her funeral drew nearly 300 mourners to the Baptist church on what is now Nora Bernard Street. Reports from the now-defunct Daily News painted a picture of Lucas as a part-time model and a former diligent student.
The violent nature of Lucas’s murder sent shockwaves through the city’s sex worker community, with many feeling a sense of fear and vulnerability in the aftermath of her tragic death. The case also drew parallels to the murder of another sex worker, Brenda Way, who was found deceased in Dartmouth in November 1995. Lucas’s aunt, Tuney Flint, revealed that Lucas had been warned about three individuals seeking to harm her, a chilling revelation that hinted at a potential motive for her murder.
In a significant development, Halifax police engaged in discussions with Michael Wayne McGray, a convicted serial killer, in 2000 to inquire about his possible involvement in Lucas’s death. McGray, who confessed to murdering 16 individuals in Canada and the United States, including a sex worker in Halifax, could not recall specific details such as the victim’s name or the date of the killing. Despite authorities obtaining the DNA profile of Lucas’s killer and identifying a suspect in 2000, they were unable to establish a definitive link between the two.
As the three-decade mark since Kimber Leanne Lucas’s murder approaches, Halifax police remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice for her and her unborn child. The quest for closure continues, with the hope that new information or leads will eventually bring Lucas’s killer to justice and provide solace to her family and loved ones.
