Niagara police offer $50K reward in 2010 murder investigation

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It was a murder that shook the Niagara community, a 76-year-old woman tied up in her basement and then her house set on fire. That was seven years ago and there’s still no break in the case.

Livia Beirnes’ death is the only unsolved homicide since 2010. Investigators at Niagara regional police are hoping a cash reward of $50 000 will trigger new leads into the gruesome death.

Neighbour Tim Ballantyne still recalls the night of the fatal fire. Ballantyne says he heard Beirnes screaming for help from the basement but said it was too dangerous to go in. When fire crews arrived to the St. Catharines home Beirnes was found tied up and alive in the basement but she died from smoke inhalation the next day. Ballantyne says Beirnes lived in the home alone and described her as the perfect neighbour.

Police are hoping someone who may have witnesses something that evening will come forward. They don’t know if the mother of two was targeted.

“This is a 74-year-old woman, she lives alone, was well known by her neighbours and no criminal past.” Virginia Moir, Niagara police.

It’s not known how many people were involved in her murder, but investigators say they are determined to bring the people responsible for her death before the courts

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jamie Munro at 905-688-4111.

Correction: The victim was 76 at the time of her death, not 74 as previously reported by police.