© The Canadian Press / HO-Lavala PoliceEric Daudelin, 37, of Montreal, is shown in a Laval Police handout photo. Police say they've solved a 16-year-old murder case thanks in part to new DNA evidence.Joleil Campeau was nine years old when she disappeared in 1995. Her body turned up days later in a creek near her Montreal-area home.
A Montreal man has been charged in a 16-year-old murder case thanks to new DNA evidence turned up by police.
Eric Daudelin, 37, appeared in court Thursday on charges of first-degree murder, sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
His alleged victim, Joleil Campeau, was nine years old when she disappeared in 1995. Her body turned up days later in a creek near her Laval home.
Police said the suspect lived in Laval at the time of Campeau's disappearance and has a prior criminal record.
Daudelin had been questioned by police at the time of the grisly discovery, but he was released at the time due to a lack of evidence.
"When the body of Joleil Campeau was found ... the technology wasn't advanced enough at the time to allow us to gather scientific evidence or to uncover a clear DNA match," said Laval police spokeswoman Nathalie Lorrain.