Edmonton police solve October homicide with forensic evidence

The Edmonton Police Service says forensic evidence has proven a man found dead around the time of a woman's homicide in October is responsible for her death.

Police said Wednesday forensic evidence shows John Gearhart, 37, was responsible for killing Patricia Roach, 54, whose death was reported to EPS on October 24, 2015.

Two days before police learned about the homicide, Gearhart was found dead in Spruce Grove. Police say his death was non-criminal.

Roach's death in a home in the area of 130th Avenue and 123rd Street was initially declared suspicious.

It is believed Roach died during the later hours of Oct. 21 or on Oct. 22. Police confirmed Wednesday that both Roach and Gearhart knew each other, and that Roach was stabbed to death. 

Police have closed the investigation into the case. 

Roach was Edmonton's 18th homicide of 2015.