The former Windsorite's death has been revealed nearly 50 years later

Melissa Rehorek, 20, was murdered in September 1976 in Calgary.

Warning: Contains graphic content

Her death was an unsolved homicide until last Friday, when authorities identified the person they believe strangled her to death.

“No investigation, no matter how successful, can undo the damage caused by crimes of this nature,” RCMP Chief David Hall said at a press conference on May 17. “The tireless dedication of all members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and our partners allows us to respond to the families of four young women whose futures were robbed.”

Due to advances in genetic testing, police believe Gary Allen Srery is responsible for Rehorek's death.Gary Allen Serry is featured in the photos provided. (Courtesy: RCMP)

DNA Advances

In 1976, officers collected seminal fluid from Rehorek's body, although the technology to identify a suspect was still lacking.

By 2003, technology had advanced enough to profile a DNA sample from Rehorek's body.

It was uploaded to the national data bank, but 20 years did not yield positive results.

In 2021, the Alberta RCMP and the Calgary Police Service partnered to review exhibits from cold cases using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG).

“Convergence IGG genealogists began building family trees,” Hall said, which in turn was uploaded to customers' genetic data banks; used by people trying to find long-lost family members.

This work produced a “suspect hypothesis” that officers used to advance their investigation into the United States.

The suspect is located

They tracked the suspect to a prison in Idaho, where Sreri was believed to be serving a life sentence for rape.

However, they found that Sreeri had died of natural causes in 2011.

With the help of Interpol and the Idaho State Police, Sreri's DNA was matched to a sample taken from Rehorek's body, Hall said.

Police also matched his DNA to DNA from three other 1976 killings of young women in Calgary.Left to right: Patricia (Patsy) McQueen, Eva Dvorak, Melissa Rehorek and Barbara McLean are seen in the photos provided. (Courtesy: RCMP)

If he is alive, police said Sreri will face multiple charges, including first-degree murder of Melissa Rehorek.

Rejoining Windsor

According to Alberta RCMP, Rehorek was originally from Windsor and moved to Calgary in the spring of 1976.

CTV News was unable to locate any of his family members.

Here is the statement the Rehorek family gave to the Alberta RCMP.

“First of all, we would like to thank the team of investigators who worked to find the person responsible for these crimes. Our message is that Melissa is a fun-loving, adventurous and hard-working person. He was an honest positive person who believed in people. He enjoyed traveling to Banff for his love of nature, but also for his interest in seeing Canada. Our family appreciates all your help.”

Police said Rehorek was working as a housekeeper at the time of her death and was staying at the YMCA in downtown Calgary.

He was last seen on the evening of September 15, 1976.