NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Continued investigation by detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service Homicide Unit has led to the identification of a suspect in the death of Jessica Lynn St. Jules.
On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 20-year-old Pedro Benitez Leal of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- second degree murder, contrary to section 235(1) of the Criminal Code
Benitez Leal is currently being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Wednesday July 3, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives would like to thank the media and members of the public for their assistance with this investigation.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact investigators at (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009482.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
June 20 update
As detectives continue to investigate the death of Jessica Lynn St. Jules, they are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect.
Further review of CCTV footage has identified a male driver, with a larger build wearing a distinctive red top with a white stripe.
He was observed driving a 2018-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, “Premium Plus SXT” in the Barton Street area in the early morning hours of Saturday June 8, 2024.
Jessica was discovered deceased a rural area of the Town of Lincoln later that day.
Detectives continue to work to identify the driver and any occupants of this vehicle, believed to frequent the Barton Street area, and are asking anyone with information, or who may have had contact with Jessica on or between Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8, 2024, to contact police at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009482.
The driver of the vehicle is encouraged to seek legal counsel and turn themselves into police.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
June 14 update
Detectives continue to investigate the death of 27-year-old Jessica Lynn St. Jules of Hamilton who was discovered in a rural area of the Town of Lincoln on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
Investigators have determined that Jessica was last seen getting into a vehicle at approximately 4:20 am on Saturday, June 8, 2024, near the Hamilton Public Library, located at 571 Barton Street East in the City of Hamilton.
The vehicle is described as a 2018-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan, granite in colour.
Detectives are now attempting to identify the driver and any occupants of this vehicle, believed to frequent the Barton Street area, and are asking anyone with information, or who may have had contact with Jessica on or between Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 2024, to contact police at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009482.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
June 9 update
Homicide detectives, working alongside 8 District (Lincoln/West Lincoln/Grimsby) uniform officers and the Forensic Services Unit (FSU) continue to investigate the death of a woman located in a rural area of Lincoln.
Detectives have now been able to identify the woman as 27-year-old Jessica Lynn St. Jules of Hamilton.
Jessica is known to have connections in the Hamilton and Halton area.
Investigators are asking anyone with information, or who may have had contact with Jessica within the last week to contact them at (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009482.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
June 9 original release
At 3:10pm on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 8 District (Lincoln/West Lincoln/Grimsby) uniform officers were called to the area of Nineteenth Street and Seventh Avenue in the Town of Lincoln following the report of a deceased female.
The investigation is in the preliminary stages; there is currently a heavy police presence in the area with Homicide detectives, along with the Forensic Services Unit (FSU) investigating.
Detectives do not have information to suggest an on-going threat to the community, however, they are asking anyone with information to come forward by calling (905) 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009482.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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