26 'long and agonizing' years end with arrest of Calgary man in 1994 double homicide as 2nd suspect sought

The families of two Calgary men who were killed 26 years ago in a home intrusion are relieved that police have charged a man and are seeking a second suspect after reopening the 1994 cold case.

Leonard Brian Cochrane, 51, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, police saidTuesday,after homicide investigators re-examined key forensic evidence.

A second suspect is still being sought.

"There have been significant advancements in forensic technology since this double homicide occurred,"Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm of the Calgary Police Service homicide unit said in a release Tuesday.

"Our investigators work tirelessly to solve each case and bring closure to a victim's family, regardless of how much time has passed. We will continue to re-examine all of our city's unsolved homicides in the pursuit of justice."

Intrusion motivated by marijuana sales, police believe

The double homicideoccurred on July 11, 1994, whentwo intruders entered a home in the 2500 block of 10 Avenue S.E. in Calgary.

Police believe the intrusion was motivated bythe sale of marijuanaat the residence.

The intrudersshot and killed two men inside the home Barry Christian Buchart, 26, and Trevor Thomas Deakins, 25before fleeing.

Despite an extensive investigation, police said that the culprits were not identified.

The file has been reviewed and investigated several times since. In 2019, homicide investigators assigned to the cold case team reopened the file.

A person of interest was identified fromforensic evidence that had been gathered in 1994, police said.

It resulted in the execution of a search warrant in the 100block of Queen Isabella Close S.E., and Cochrane's arrest.

He will appear in court on Dec. 11, 2020.

Mother relieved 'long and agonizing' wait ended

Trevor Deakins' mother, CarolWilliamson,described the years since the killings occurred as painful, but was gladthat her son could finally rest in peace.

"The last 26 yearshave been long and agonizing,but we neverlost hope," Williamson said in the release.

"Our entire family is extremelyrelieved thatTrevor is finally gettingthe justice hedeserves."

Barry Buchart's brother Darcy Buchart said he still hopes for closure and asked for privacy for the family.

"We cannot express enough of our gratitude to the Calgary police homicide unit, for working so hard and never giving up over 26 years, trying to solve the tragic death of my brother Barry and roommate Trevor," saidBuchart.

Investigators are still hoping to identify and locate the second suspect involved in the double homicide.

They are askinganyone with information about Leonard Cochrane from 1990 to 1995 to contactthe cold case team by calling the Homicide Tip Line at 403-428-8877, or the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.