Man charged with first-degree murder in Charlottetown man's 1988 death

Police in Charlottetown say a 56-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder and interfering with human remains in connection with the 1988 homicide of Byron Carr.

Chief Brad MacConnell, with Charlottetown Police Services, identified the accused as Todd Joseph Gallant of Souris, P.E.I., during a Friday afternoon news conference.

Gallant, who also uses the name Todd Joseph Irving, was arrested just before noon Thursday.

“We have significant forensic evidence to believe he is responsible for the death of Byron Carr,” MacConnell said.

Todd Joseph Gallant is pictured in a handout photo from Charlottetown Police Services.

MacConnell described Carr as a loving son, brother and a friend to many. He adds Carr, who was 36 at the time of his death, was a respected teacher and a good neighbour, who had a good sense of humour.

Carr was last seen around 3 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1988. He was driving a 1987 white Ford Tempo near the corner of Richmond Street and Prince Street.

According to a previous police news release, Carr was found dead 31 hours later in the bedroom of his home on Lapthorn Avenue, about 1.5 kilometres away.

Byron Carr was found dead in the bedroom of his Charlottetown home in November 1988. (File photo)

Police said Carr was strangled and stabbed following a sexual encounter with another man.

At the time of the murder, Gallant was 21-years-old and believed to be living in the Charlottetown area.

Police say he has a criminal record both in Charlottetown and in the U.S.

“We know he travelled abroad, to the states of Texas and Arkansas and we’ve been working with law enforcement in those areas to piece his timeline together over the last 35 years," MacConnell said.

Chief Brad MacConnell, with Charlottetown Police Services, updates the public on a cold case investigation on Jan. 26, 2024.

A second person was also arrested Thursday in connection with the case.

“However, that individual was released late yesterday afternoon. Our investigation continues to determine why, if any, involvement this individual had in activities involving Byron Carr’s death," MacConnell said.

Police say they will not be releasing any identifying information about that person at this time.

“The scope of this investigation has been extensive. We’ve leveraged advanced DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy to lead us to the arrest of Todd Joseph Gallant,” MacConnell said.

The chief thanked Carr’s family for their patience and support throughout the investigation.

“We only wish we could have given these answers sooner,” he said.

“There’s still much work to be done, but we hope this arrest will give you some of the peace of mind you’ve longed for.”

Byron Carr was found dead in his Charlottetown home in November of 1988.

Family speaks

Byron’s brother, John Carr, thanked police and the public for their help over the past few decades.

“It’s amazing how many calls we got. People trying to help, a lot of misinformation unfortunately, but they were trying and it was in goodness and kindness that they were doing it, so we appreciate that,” he said.

John Carr says his parents have since passed away, but were there during Friday’s annoucement “in spirit.”

“This would have been very important to them as the next step in pursuing justice for Byron.”

John Carr speaks at a news conference on Jan. 26, 2024 after charges were laid in connection with the 1988 death of his brother Byron Carr.

What was behind this crime?

MacConnell said Byron’s murder has caused trauma to “generations of Islanders.”

“Nobody more impacted than his family and Byron’s friends in the gay community. Yes, Byron was a gay man, a secret he kept from many people, a revelation only brought (to) light by his tragic death,” he said.

“Byron’s death occurred during a dark and unfortunate time in our province’s history when members of the LGBTQIA2S+ did not feel welcome or accepted, forcing many like Byron to socialize in the shadows and take unnecessary risks.”

MacConnell was also asked if Carr’s death is considered a hate crime.

He said a handwritten note left on a wall at the crime scene “would suggest it was.”

Police have previously released a photo of the note, which read "I will kill again."

“We’ve never been closed-minded to the possibilities of what might of happened here,” MacConnell said. “And we’re hoping before this is over we’ll get the truth and what was behind this crime. Was hate involved, was there other factors? I know that we’ve always, and the family, have always just wanted the truth, no matter what it was, and hopefully we can get that.”

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