Another Charged In Murder Investigation

(CARLETON PLACE, ON) – An Ottawa resident is facing charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into a murder in Carleton Place.

On November 12, 2023, 50-year-old Rose KERWIN was located deceased in the Mississippi River near the Village of Pakenham.  

Two people, a 56-year-old man from Carleton Place and a 23-year-old woman from Iroquois, were arrested on December 19, 2023, and were charged with First Degree Murder.

On April 2, 2025, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested another individual in connection with Rose KERWIN’s death, in relation to the disposal of the victim’s car.

Wayne Gerald SMITH, age 65, has been charged with Being an Accessory After the Fact to Murder, section 240 of the Criminal Code. The accused appeared for a bail hearing, was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 5, 2025.

Police continue to search for KERWIN’s vehicle, which is described as a blue 2013 Mazda GX four-door sedan with Ontario licence plate CSXW383. Multiple public appeals have been made to locate the car.

OPP East Region Criminal Operations is continuing to investigate, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), with assistance from OPP Forensic Identification Services, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the dedicated tip line at 1-844-677-9400 or the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.