Longueuil police identify killer in 1975 murder of Sharron Prior

Longueuil police say they have solved one of the highest-profile cold cases in Quebec history.

Police say DNA evidence allows them to be 100 per cent certain that Franklin Maywood Romine murdered 16-year-old Sharron Prior in 1975.

The body of Romine, who died in 1982 at the age of 36, was exhumed from a West Virginia cemetery in early May for DNA testing intended to confirm his link to the crime.

The rape and killing of Prior had gone unsolved since she disappeared on March 29, 1975, after setting out to meet friends at a pizza parlour near her home in Montreal’s Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood.

“The solving of Sharron’s case will never bring Sharron back, but knowing that her killer is no longer on this Earth and cannot kill anymore brings us to somewhat of a closure to this long chapter of our lives,” said Doreen Prior, one of the victim’s sister at a press conference at the Longueuil police headquarters Tuesday.

“We are still grieving at the loss of our daughter and sister, who was savagely murdered at the age of 16 March 29th 1975. Life has not been easy for us since then but Sharron has given us strength for the past 48 years and especially today, Sharron is here beside us.

“She was a beautiful young lady with a heart of gold. Sharron excelled in all that she did, be it at school or in sport, she was kind to every living creature and she hoped to become a veterinarian. Sharron was loved and respected by all who knew her. Especially in Pointe-Saint-Charles. Her friends are still in regular contact with us. Her short life touched many people and continues to do so.”

Police say Romine, who had a long criminal record, was in Montreal at the time of the killing but was never suspected in Prior’s death.

At Tuesday’s press conference, Longueuil police said Romine lived nine kilometres from Prior’s home at the time of the crime.

Police say Romine’s DNA matched a sample found at the murder scene, and he also matched a witness’ physical description of the suspect.

They explained Romine had many brothers, and police were able to get a live DNA sample to start before even exhuming the body.