Vivien Morzuch was 15 when he was beaten to death and dumped in a ditch near Kamloops, BC in 2000. His case was solved six years later
This podcast is from a chapter in Cold Case Vancouver: The City’s Most Baffling Unsolved Murders
Vancouver Police Museum:
In 2014, I was at a talk at the Vancouver Police Museum given by former homicide detective Steve McCartney.
Steve was a homicide detective assigned to the Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit which was made up of officers from the RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department and investigated cold cases from jurisdictions all over BC when new evidence emerged.
Steve’s talk became the basis for my last chapter in Cold Case Vancouver: The City’s Most Baffling Unsolved Murders. Because unsolved murders, by their nature, don’t have an ending, I wanted to finish the book with a cold case that was solved. And I wanted to show the lengths that police will go to in closing an unsolved murder, particularly when it involves a child.
Cold Case:
In 2006, Steve was working on the six-year-old cold case of Vivien Morzuch, a 15-year-old boy who had run away from his Montreal home to pick fruit in BC. Instead, the boy was found savagely beaten to death and dumped in a ditch near Kamloops. The only evidence that police had to go on was a partial fingerprint on a piece of duct tape found near his body and some DNA.
The DNA didn’t belong to Vivien and it wasn’t in the system, so for the next six years the case went cold. Then in 2006, police got a break when a man was caught doing a snatch-and-grab on Vancouver’s Davie Street.
My chapter in Cold Case Vancouver and the episode for this week’s podcast is based on media reports, an interview with Vivien’s sister Bruyere, Steve’s talk, and a subsequent interview where he detailed the police investigation and the Mr. Big sting that was launched to catch Vivien’s killer. It’s a fascinating look at the work and resources that go into a cold case when new evidence arises.
Show Notes:
Sponsors: Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours and Erin Hakin Jewellery
Music: Misconception by thedarkpiano.com
Intro: Mark Dunn
Interview: Steve McCartney, former homicide detective with the Provincial Unsolved Homicide Unit
Promo: Blood, Sweat, and Fear: the story of Inspector Vance, a true crime podcast with Eve Lazarus
With special thanks to Raffelina Sirianni, Dave Barry and Kent Simmonds at CFJC TV in Kamloops for supplying the news clips; and the Vancouver Police Museum.
© All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all blog content copyright Eve Lazarus.
13 comments on “The Vivien Morzuch Story”
I really enjoyed this story. Thanks Eve. These type of killers should get much harsher sentences in Canada. And I believe he should not be allowed to change his name.
Thanks so much for listening Brad and taking the time to comment! I agree, it seems a pathetic sentence for such a horrific murder
The lack of capital punishment cheapens murder.
I still dont believe two wrongs make one right.
It doesn’t make it right nor is it meant to make it right; it’s fair punishment for the unlawful killing of another person.
I somehow remember this case and it’s so good to know it was solved. It’s disappointing that cold-blooded murder (and of a child) isn’t considered worth life in prison. I am outraged by this seemingly common decision of the Crown.
Must be incredibly frustrating for all those detectives who invested so much into this case and devastating for the family.
Surely that newspaper photo caption is incorrect. Looks like the perp, rather than the victim.
Then again, maybe it’s correct.
Brian was my stepdad for 10 yrs….letter from Rideau correctional and treatment center from Barbara Armstrong, ph.d. Oct 6 1989 states- Brian had difficulty pinpointing behaviors to change. He “ appeared “ highly motivated to learn. However it was difficult to assess how he was applying what he was learning to his own situation and behavior. Appears to have difficulty identifying his own anger mgt prob areas. He appears to have difficulty handling “ perceived “ injustice and “ perceived “ unfairness. It was felt he could be too over controlled, but when his control began to erode his anger could become quickly inappropriate. During the program he did not demonstrate increased awareness of his own anger mgt difficulties. It was felt he that he would need to work on self awareness bf he could utilize program material to alter his behavior. Brian beat my mom many times…Broke her leg, whipped her with a stick while camping. I myself had xrays on my nose and a chipped tooth trying to protect my mom. They were together 10yrs. He clearly never changed. This man is a full blow narcissist/ psychopath. They don’t change. They pass the blame, tried to make my mom look like the bad person. What I don’t understand is why he gets to be married and gets out of jail 5/2. This is horrendous. I am shocked at our judicial system. He killed a 15 yr old boy ppl!!! What the fuck is wrong with this system? He should be locked up for life! He was a violent, evil man that could not take responsibility for his actions. I am so sorry for the family. Any contact would be greatly received. Stay away from narcissists, they r everywhere.
Brian was my stepdad for 10 yrs. He was very abusive to my mom, me. I have a letter from rideau correctional facility back in 1998 from Dr Barbara Armstrong ph.d. He had difficulty pinpointing his own behaviors, had difficulty handling “ perceived “ injustices and unfairness. She stated he could be too over controlled and when his anger began to erode his anger could be quickly inappropriate. He beat my mom a lot, broke her leg, whipped her with a stick on a camping trip, chipped my tooth when I tried to protect her, received xrays on my nose. How does the judicial system let someone out like that? How does he get to be married and able to be out 5/2? This is horrendous. He should be locked up for life. These ppl don’t change. He is a narcissist/ psychopath. Stay far away from them. They cause grave damage. I only hope his wife wakes up and realizes it’s all manipulation. These ppl r evil and very violent.
Vivien was my friend in primary school. To this day I think of him often. Quelle tragédie. 😢
I Attended the trial in Kamloops with Vivien’s father, very tragic 😢