NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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A 24-year-old man from Georgina has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years, after he was found guilty of first-degree murder.
On Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, just after 5 a.m., York Region Paramedic Services and the Town of Georgina Fire and Emergency Services were called to a residence on Miami Drive for a report of a house on fire.
The fire was extinguished and the homeowner was located deceased inside the residence. The victim was identified as Sandy Gauthier, 85, of Georgina. A post-mortem examination was conducted and the death was determined to be a homicide.
After a lengthy and thorough investigation, a suspect was identified using investigative genetic genealogy.
On Oct. 25, 2022, Bradley Strickler, of Georgina, who was 21 years old at the time, was charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and arson with disregard for human life. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
In January 2025, a trial began on the charge of first-degree murder alone.
On Feb. 11, 2025, a jury found Strickler guilty of first-degree murder. On Feb. 20, 2025, he was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
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