Winnipeg police explore new clues in 1979 killing of real estate agent Irene Pearson

WINNIPEG — New advances in DNA technology have Winnipeg police releasing new information on the cold case homicide of Irene Pearson, the realtor killed nearly four decades ago. But officers are still looking for more clues.

The 31-year-old was discovered inside a show home on Kinver Avenue, near Keewatin Street and Inkster Boulevard on Nov. 16, 1979. She was beaten and stabbed several times and her death was ruled a homicide.

No charges have ever been laid.

“She’s been dead longer than she was alive,” Sgt. John O’Donovan of the Winnipeg police homicide unit said at a media conference Tuesday.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "She's been dead longer than she was alive," Sgt. John O'Donovan of the Winnipeg police homicide unit said at a media conference Tuesday.

“It’s a strong possibility that Irene Pearson was showing the home to someone she believed to be a potential client at the time of her death,” he said.

1:26 Winnipeg police searching for new clues in 1979 cold case murder

Police said one of the last people to be in the house with Pearson was driving a red or blue Plymouth Volare, a car discontinued in 1980.

Since Pearson’s homicide, police said there have been “significant advances in DNA technology.” Investigators said they would like to hear from anyone who may have worked on the construction of the home on 114 Kinver Avenue.

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Police also released a Crime Stoppers video hoping it will lead to new information.

Pearson was last seen alive the evening on Nov. 15 1979. She was supposed to be meeting a prospective home buyer at 7 p.m and left a note saying she’d be back in a few minutes but she never returned.

Pearson was found the following day beaten and stabbed.

In 2007, the police said they had examined evidence in the case and produced DNA samples, which were never able to provide enough evidence to identify a suspect. These DNA samples are not linked to the new information released by police Tuesday.

WATCH: Global News’ archived story from 2007

2:02 ARCHIVED: Police produced DNA samples in 2007

Anyone with information on the homicide are asked to call police at 204-986-3819 or 204-786-TIPS (8477).