Update Charges Laid: Brantford police release information about murdered woman Shannon MacDougall over 8 months after the homicide

The 2020 Brantford Homicide Victim List is available here

Brantford police responded to a Mintern Avenue residence on a wellbeing check on a female occupant on March 11th.

Police arrived to find 37 year old, Shannon MacDougall deceased. Police have not released the cause of death, only saying that her death is being investigated as a homicide. Police said “To protect the integrity of the investigation, a media release was not distributed earlier due to the manner in which police received the information.”

Police do not believe the homicide was random and are asking anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact Detective Ryan Groen at 519-756-7050 ext 2206.

Update March 10th 2021
Brantford police have announced a $10,000 reward to anyone who may have information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Shannon’s murder.

Update June 16th 2021
On June 15th, Brantford police announced that Christine BIRT, 28, of Brantford, has been arrested and charged with second Degree Murder. Police said they do not believe this was a random incident.

Update May 3rd 2024
Birt was originally charged with second-degree murder but, after pre-trial, the charge was changed to manslaughter. The trial was halted on May 2nd 2024, when Birt changed her plea from not guilty of manslaughter to guilty of assault causing bodily harm.