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Reward doubled in Fort Erie double homicide investigation

18-year-old Christina Crooks of Toronto and 20-year-old Juliana Pannunzio of Windsor were found dead at a residence on the Niagara River Parkway in Jan. 19, 2021. Niagara Regional Police

Niagara Regional Police have doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a double homicide in Fort Erie.

They are offering a $100,000 reward as they investigate the fatal shootings of Juliana Pannunzio, 20, of Windsor and Christine Crooks, 18, of Toronto.

Police say it is believed they were shot on Jan. 19 while attending a gathering at a short-term rental in Fort Erie.

In an appeal video, Staff Sgt. Steve Magistrale said investigators are looking to identify two people seen in a photograph taken from inside the residence on the night of the murders.

The picture shows three individuals of interest with one wearing a mask and two others not. Magistrale says they are looking to find out who the two unmasked people are.

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Investigators say multiple people from outside the Niagara region attended the gathering, but no one remained at the scene when officers arrived at the scene.

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“We have identified the person who rented the Airbnb, and we can confirm that they hosted a birthday party for one of the attendees on the night of the murders,” Magistrale said.

“Investigators have identified most of the people at the party that night. Some of them have been spoken to and provided valuable information. However, others simply refused to cooperate.”

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Police say they believe some of those people know who killed the young women and are hoping the money will encourage them to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s homicide tip line at 289-248-1058.

Click to play video: '11-year-old on bicycle narrowly missed by car that drove through 4-way stop in Niagara Region'
11-year-old on bicycle narrowly missed by car that drove through 4-way stop in Niagara Region

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