The 2023 Ontario Homicide Victim List is available here

OPP responded to a home on Andrew Street South around 11:30 p.m on December 14th, where they located 25-year-old Kyle Farrows, deceased.

An autopsy was performed and revealed the manner of death to be a homicide. Police have not released the cause of death.

On December 17th police arrested 18-year-old Mackenzie Harrod of Midland and 36-year-old Brian Allen Lancaster of Orillia. Both have been charged with Second Degree Murder.

On February 24th 2026:
A 20-year-old Midland woman has pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in the December 2023 killing of her former boyfriend, Kyle Farrows, in Orillia.

Mackenzie Harrod admitted she helped her boyfriend, Brian Lancaster, flee after a violent altercation that left Farrows dead. She also acknowledged lying to police and helping dispose of evidence. Lancaster remains in custody, and Harrod is set to be sentenced in April.

Update July 22nd 2026:

According to CTV News, Brian Lancaster, 38, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the December 2023 killing of 25-year-old Kyle Farrows, ending his jury trial with a mistrial.

Lancaster admitted he repeatedly stabbed Farrows in his bedroom, causing his death, though he claimed he was defending his then-girlfriend, Mackenzie Harrod, whom he said Farrows had threatened with a knife and was attempting to sexually assault.

Evidence showed Farrows suffered around 90 stab and cut wounds. Lancaster told police he blacked out during the attack and later admitted leaving the apartment with Harrod, who helped clean the scene and dispose of their bloodied clothing.

Earlier this year, Harrod pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to murder and received a sentence of house arrest after admitting she struck Farrows with a bong during the confrontation.

Lancaster’s sentencing hearing is set for October, when the court will also hear victim impact statements from Farrows’ family.