The 2024 Ontario Homicide Victim List is available here
Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a home in the area of Lindan Street and Alma Drive in Smithville.
Officers arrived to find an adult female deceased inside the home. Investigators have identified the female as 62-year-old Cathy Prosje of Smithville and are asking anyone who may have had contact with her prior to her death on April 26, 2024, to come forward.
The Homicide Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service has taken charge of the investigation.
Investigators are continuing to look for Cathy’s computer which may have been discarded, traded, sold, or at local pawn shops. It’s described as a Hewlitt Packard Elite Book 840 G9 Notebook, silver with a 14-inch screen, with serial number 5CG3106K1J.
Anyone who has purchased or found this used laptop should contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009533.
In October 2024, Joseph VILLNEFF was charged with first-degree murder in the homicide of Cathy PROSJE. As a continuation of the investigation, detectives with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit became involved in the investigation. In December 2024, detectives charged VILLNEFF with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material and Voyeurism. VILLNEFF has remained in custody and is currently awaiting trial.
On Thursday January 9, 2025, Homicide Unit Detectives arrested a suspect in connection to the death of Cathy Prosje. 55-year-old Carolyn Prosje, sister of the deceased, is facing the following charge:
- Accessory after the fact to murder
On Wednesday, July 15, 2025, the charge against 56-year-old Carolyn Prosje, sister of the deceased, was upgraded to:
- First Degree Murder
- Accessory after the fact to murder
Carolyn Prosje remains in custody.
Update: On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 44-year-old Joseph VILLNEFF of West Lincoln was charged with the following criminal offences:
- Secretly Record Person for a Sexual Purpose – Voyeurism (5 Counts)
- Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (7 Counts)
- Sexual Assault Under 16 years of age (4 Counts)
- Sexual Interference (4 Counts)
- Unlawfully Possess Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (3 Counts)
- Access Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
- Making Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material Available
VILLNEFF remains in custody and is scheduled to attend court on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, St Catharines.
Anyone with information that may further assist with this investigation is asked to contact Detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009533.