The discovery of two men’s remains in separate Ontario locations triggered an investigation that would expose the dark undercurrents in Barrie’s encampment community.
What began with concern for two missing men quickly escalated. In February, the family of William (Blake) Robinson, 45, reported him missing. When David Cheesequay, 41, vanished in July, alarm spread among those living near the Ann Street encampment in Barrie. On July 30, Barrie police launched a search in the shadow of the encampment and unearthed evidence that would redraw the boundaries of the case.
Witness accounts pointed detectives beyond city limits. Investigators swept through Huntsville and a North Simcoe County residence, piecing together a grim puzzle. The remains of Robinson and Cheesequay were found in two separate locations. The connection? All three men—the accused and the victims—had, at one time or another, shared life on the fringes at the Ann Street encampment. According to Sgt. Brett Carleton, the trio had coexisted within the same makeshift community over several years, their paths colliding in ways that would have tragic consequences.
On August 1, a 52-year-old man with a known criminal record was arrested in Midland after officers allege he attempted to flee. Initial firearm and flight charges quickly expanded. By mid-August, the suspect faced allegations of both first- and second-degree murder, indignity to a body, and drug trafficking, underscoring the severity of the crimes. The investigation drew on every available resource, as Barrie police chief Rich Johnston acknowledged the “around-the-clock” commitment of his team.
Chief Johnston offered reassurance to an unsettled community, emphasizing the isolated nature of the incident and stating police are not looking for further suspects or victims. Still, he made clear the case remains open, and investigators stand ready should new information emerge.
Even as the encampment returns to uneasy quiet, the search for justice presses on, a testament to the resolve of those tasked with protecting the most vulnerable among us.
References:
2 men who were killed and dismembered knew attacker: Barrie police
