A BC man faces charges in connection with four sexual assault cases in southwestern Ontario nearly 30 years ago…including two cases locally.
In one instance, on May 23, 1997, a girl was walking along Highway 21 in Thamesville shortly before noon. She was picked up by a man driving a light blue or grey two-door vehicle. OPP officials say she was taken to a wooded area where she was sexually assaulted.
A sexual assault in Chatham took place on Aug. 20, 1997. OPP officials say a girl was picked up on Grand Avenue West about 10:40 p.m. by a man driving a blue vehicle. She was taken outside of Chatham and sexually assaulted.
That was the fourth in a string of such assaults that year. Others took place in Sarnia.
In all instances, police say the victims were left at the site of the assaults.
An individual from British Columbia has been arrested in connection with a series of violent sexual assaults that occurred in southwestern Ontario in 1997, following a multi-jurisdictional investigation known as Project Aerial.
Back in the day, police believed that the same unknown offender was responsible for the four incidents. Over the years, two of the four incidents – the events from March and June 1997 – were linked to the same assailant using DNA analysis and investigative efforts, police say.
The cases were later transferred to the OPP. Despite extensive efforts and repeated public appeals, the identity of the assailant remained unknown for many years.
In January 2024, advancements in DNA technology, and resulting forensic analysis by the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS), linked the four assaults to the same individual. The OPP utilized investigative genetic genealogy and employed other investigative techniques to identify the individual believed to be responsible, police say.
On Oct. 26, with the assistance of the RCMP, Vancouver police and the OPP, police made an arrest in Campbell River, BC.
As a result of the investigation, Jason Timothy Davidson, 52, of Campbell River, is charged with three counts of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon, kidnapping, four counts of forcible confinement, three counts of uttering threats and one of theft.
OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said credited police persistence and courage from the victims with charges being ultimately laid.
“Project Aerial reflects decades of persistence and commitment, not only from the victims who had the courage to come forward, but also from the investigators who never stopped pursuing answers,” he said. “I want to recognize the dedication of both current and former members of the investigative team, as well as the exceptional co-ordination across provincial jurisdictions that made this arrest possible.”
The investigation by the Lambton and Essex OPP Crime Unit remains ongoing, in conjunction with other police services.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
