MIDLAND – Police have completed their investigation into the Jan. 10 murder of 20-year-old Stephanie Hoddinott, but are not releasing details of their findings to the public.
Penetanguishene resident Jacob Ferrier, 20, was initially charged with first-degree murder, but died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Jan. 13, prompting police to withdraw the charge.
“As a result, no further prosecution in the matter can be undertaken,” Midland police Staff Sgt. Jim Rettinger told The Mirror via e-mail.
Rettinger said the .45-calibre handgun recovered from Ferrier’s vehicle was legally registered to him, and he was licensed to purchase and possess the weapon.
As for the reasons behind Ferrier’s tragic actions, the answer to that will likely never be known.
“The premise of ‘motive’ involves speculation and hypotheses,” said Rettinger. “The speculative part of this incident involves, in combination with several other factors, the perceived mental state of Jacob and/or Stephanie at the time of the incident, or the period of minutes, hours or days preceding it…. Neither Jacob or Stephanie (are) here to speak to that state.”
Out of respect for the families, he added, police will not be releasing any further information regarding the details of what happened that day.
Meanwhile, a former friend and housemate of Hoddinott has organized a candlelight memorial in her honour.
Brie Marchildon is inviting participants to make donations to either the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – an organization that was close to her friend’s heart – or the White Ribbon Campaign, the main goal of which is ending violence against women in all its forms.
The vigil will take place Feb. 8 – a date that would have marked Hoddinott’s 21st birthday – from 6 to 9 p.m. in the field at Midland Secondary School.
Today's Weather 
3°C
3°C
Stephanie Hoddinott, 20, of Midland died Jan. 10 after being shot by ex-boyfriend Jacob Ferrier.
Related Articles
User Comments
Most Recent Stories
Lesperance qualifies for national youth finals
MIDLAND – Competing in the Youth Challenge Provincial Round at the Ontario Winter Games in Sudbury last week, Bayshore Lanes youth bowler Kayla...
[more]
Privacy
Policy - Copyright © 2010 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving
the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach,
Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of
any material from simcoe.com
is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.
