RCMP Still Seeking Answers in 1976 Murder of Edmonton-Area Teen Marie Judy Goudreau

Alberta RCMP have renewed a public appeal for tips in the unsolved 1976 murder of 17-year-old Marie Judy Goudreau. Her car was found abandoned on a rural road near Beaumont on Aug. 2, 1976; her body was discovered two days later north of Devon. The case has never been solved.

Alberta RCMP are asking the public for fresh information about the 1976 death of a teenager south of Edmonton, a RCMP cold case that has now gone unsolved for five decades. According to police, 17-year-old Marie Judy Goudreau was last seen alive on August 2, 1976, as she drove home to her family’s farm near Beaumont after visiting friends in Edmonton.

What happened the night Marie Judy Goudreau disappeared

Police say Goudreau left Edmonton at about 10:30 p.m. on August 2, 1976. Around 11:00 p.m., her blue 1972 Plymouth Cricket was found abandoned on Range Road 244. The engine was still running, headlights on, driver’s door wide open, and one window partially down. Her purse with $20 inside and her jacket remained in the vehicle, but Goudreau was not there. Her body was found two days later in a ditch north of Devon, roughly 26 kilometres from where the car was located. An autopsy determined she was strangled.

Police impersonator incidents investigated

At the time, investigators followed more than 500 tips and deployed up to 45 officers on the case. A $20,000 reward was offered. Police also looked into several reports of men impersonating police officers in the area around the time of the murder. At least six people reported being stopped or approached by men claiming to be law enforcement in the months after Goudreau’s death. It was never confirmed whether any of these incidents were connected to the murder.

Threatening phone call weeks before

Two weeks before the murder, a cousin of Goudreau who shared the same first name received a threatening phone call. The caller asked for Marie Goudreau and made threats involving a knife. The cousin reported the call to police at the time, but said officers dismissed it as a prank. The RCMP release does not confirm a link between this call and the murder.

What RCMP are asking now

The RCMP Historical Homicide Unit for K Division says it is re-examining the case. Investigators believe that details considered minor in 1976 could be more meaningful today as witnesses and those involved have aged. Police are asking anyone with information — even if it seemed unimportant at the time — to contact investigators.

How to submit a tip

Anyone with information about the death of Marie Judy Goudreau can contact the RCMP K Division Historical Homicide Unit by email. An anonymous tip can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Frequently asked questions

When did Marie Judy Goudreau go missing?

She was last seen on August 2, 1976, at about 10:30 p.m. after visiting friends in Edmonton.

Where was Marie Judy Goudreau found?

Her remains were discovered north of Devon, Alberta, near Highway 60, two days after she disappeared.

Is the Marie Judy Goudreau case still open?

Yes. RCMP say the murder remains unsolved and the Historical Homicide Unit is actively seeking new tips.

How can I submit an anonymous tip?

Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.p3tips.com/250.