Gatineau, February 18, 2016. – Following an investigation by the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) into the homicide of Christine MacNeil, the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) has authorized a charge of first degree murder against Blake Dooley, a 53 year-old resident of Ottawa. Mr. Dooley will appear this afternoon in Gatineau court.

Blake Dooley was arrested on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at approximately 4: 00 pm in Ottawa by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Tactical Unit. The accused was then taken to SPVG headquarters at 590 boulevard Gréber, in Gatineau, where he was interrogated by investigators with the SPVG's Major Crime Unit.

At the same time, SPVG and OPS investigators searched three homes within the territory of the City of Ottawa:

• 115 Mountshannon Drive, Nepean, Ottawa
• 1285 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa
• 1324 Field Street, Ottawa

According to inspecteur-chef Marc Leduc of the SPVG's Division des enquêtes criminelles, "the intensive investigation over the last few months demonstrated that the victim had indeed been targeted by her murderer. Ms. MacNeil knew Mr. Dooley, and evidence shows that the murder was planned. In fact, the investigation is ongoing, and there may be additional arrests in connection with this homicide." Mr. Leduc added that he hopes that this arrest will enable Ms. MacNeil's loved ones to find closure.

"The outcome of this investigation demonstrates the importance of collaborating with our partners. On that note, I would like to thank the Ottawa Police Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Sûreté du Québec. As well, I want to mention the excellent collaboration we received from staff and management at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel on the heels of the incident. Despite the most unusual circumstances, they were able to remain positive."

Recap of the events

At approximately 8:05 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015, police responded to a 911 call about gunshots heard at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at 35 rue Laurier, in Gatineau's Hull sector. At the scene, police found the victim's lifeless body showing signs of gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

At around noon on Tuesday, October 20, the lockdown was lifted at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, and guests and employees were once again able to move about freely. Only the floor where the incident occurred remained inaccessible until the SPVG's Service de l'identité judiciaire, and the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale de Montréal finished collecting their forensic evidence.

On February 9, the SPVG released a composite drawing of a person of interest in the case, following which investigators received new information and met new witnesses.

The investigation continues

Notwithstanding the arrest of Mr. Blake Dooley, the investigation continues, and the SPVG asks that anyone with information related to this homicide contact the investigators through the SPVG homicide tip line at 819 243-INFO (4636), option 1. All information will be treated as confidential, and callers are not required to identify themselves.