A decade-old stabbing case in Beacon Hill Park has finally seen a semblance of closure with the recent legal decision regarding Paul Cowie, the alleged perpetrator of the 2014 assault.
Marked by years of investigative work, technological leaps, and a convoluted chase spanning provinces and borders, the case has now been closed.
The incident, which occurred in January 2014, shook the tranquil ambiance of Beacon Hill Park when a man fell victim to a vicious stabbing.
The 48-old-old victim at the time, sustaining life-threatening injuries to his head, face, and chest, was rushed to hospital and miraculously survived the assault.
Investigators do not believe that the victim and the attacker knew each other, and robbery was not considered a motive.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, released the following statement in 2019:
“I was significantly impacted by this, and I still deal with the after effects, both physical and emotional, today. I hope that anyone with any information will come forward to find the person who did this to me.”
The subsequent investigation launched by VicPD involved the Major Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Services (FIS).
Initial attempts to capture the assailant included public appeals, DNA collection, and the creation of a composite sketch based on eyewitness accounts.
However, the case remained shrouded in mystery for years.
It wasn’t until 2018 that a breakthrough emerged from advancements in DNA evidence analysis.
VicPD detectives resubmitted the suspect’s DNA profile, obtained from the crime scene, to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in the United States.
This move, unavailable in 2014, bore fruit as it established a match with Paul Cowie, whose DNA was already on file due to an unrelated criminal offense in Wyoming.
The intricate trail following the stabbing revealed Cowie’s escape from Vancouver Island to Alberta, where he stole a Parks Canada vehicle.
Crossing borders, he was arrested by Park Rangers in Yellowstone National Park, leading to the collection of his DNA and subsequent inclusion in the CODIS database.
The journey to capture Cowie spanned provinces, culminating in his location in Brandon, Manitoba. With coordinated efforts between VicPD officers and the Brandon Police Service, Cowie was apprehended in November 2019 and subsequently charged with aggravated assault by BC Crown Counsel.
According to VicPD, the recent legal proceedings regarding Cowie saw him being found Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD) by a BC Provincial judge in June 2023.
Following this decision, the BC Review Board mandated Cowie’s detention in a designated psychiatric hospital for further evaluation, with a subsequent review slated in 12 months.
“I’m incredibly proud of the effort and determination of our officers to identify the suspect in this investigation,” says VicPD Chief Del Manak.
“Despite several years having passed since the incident, our officers remained focused on solving this file, and ultimately it was that prolonged effort, teamwork, and problem solving that led to the arrest. This is also a great demonstration of coordination across sections at VicPD as well as with agencies both nationally and internationally, and the remarkable power of DNA technology.”
The legal status of NCRMD, a rare verdict in criminal cases, means that Cowie, despite being held responsible for the act, lacked the capacity to appreciate the wrongdoing due to a mental disorder at the time of the offense, said VicPD.
The decision now lies with the BC Review Board, which can opt for a discharge, conditional release, or continued detention based on the assessment of public safety risks.
