Brantford police lay charge in murder of Hamilton woman

Brantford police have charged a woman in connection with the homicide of Shannon MacDougall.

In a press release Tuesday, police said they had arrested and charged Christine Birt, 28, of Brantford with second-degree murder in connection to MacDougall's death.

The presumed break in the case comes more than a year after MacDougall, 37, was found dead in her Mintern Avenue residence during a well being" check by officers in mid-March 2020.

At that time, according to the latest media release, both the criminal investigation and forensic unit attended the scene and immediately entered into a suspicious death investigation." A cause of death has never been released.

Police only made the news of her death public in late November when they announced it was being treated as a homicide - more than eight and a half months after the discovery. A spokesperson said the delay was necessary to protect the investigation."

Investigators do not believe the incident to be random.

It's unclear if MacDougall and Birt were known to one another. In an email response to The Spectator, spokesperson Robin Matthews-Osmond said due to charges being before the court, investigators will not discuss evidence as it pertains to the case."

The news of the arrest comes three months after police announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible."

A spokesperson confirmed to The Spectator that Birt was arrested Monday and will appear in court on July 6. Police also thanked the public for their assistance in providing information related to this homicide."

MacDougall, who had two children, was born in Hamilton, raised in Brantford, and at one point had worked as a personal support worker at St. Joseph's Healthcare, according to a story in the Brantford Expositor.

A previous media release also included a statement from MacDougall's family - her birth name was Burnside - that reads, in part: Shannon was one of a kind and she had a huge heart. She was a great mother, daughter and sister. Through all her struggles she remained strong and hopeful and always put her family first. We think of her every day and we miss her every day."

The investigation is ongoing, said police. Anyone with information on the case can call the Brantford Police Service tip line at 519-756-0113, ext. 2319, or email shannonmacdougall@police.brantford.on.ca.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-888-8477 (TIPS).

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com