Robert Hopkins was a 48-year-old printer who worked at the Vancouver News Herald, one of three daily newspapers. He was a quiet, friendly man who kept to himself and was liked by his colleagues. None of them knew that Bob was gay and lived a secret life. He had to. In the 1950s homosexuality was illegal—it would be until 1969—and coming out would have meant losing his job, his place in the community, and possibly his family.
This podcast episode is based on original research conducted for my book Cold Case Vancouver: the city’s most baffling unsolved murders
Born in Ireland and raised in Edmonton, Bob lived alone in his small cottage on Fleming Street in the Kensington-Cedar area of Vancouver. He was found tied up, tortured and shot to death in his living room.
- Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck by Eve Lazarus, coming April 2025. Preorder through Arsenal Pulp Press, online retailers or your your favourite indie bookstore
SHOW NOTES
Sponsor: Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
Intro & voiceover: Mark Dunn
Music: Andreas Schuld – ‘Waiting for You’
Guest: Ron Dutton, Founder, BC Gay and Lesbian Archives
Podcast Promo: The True Crime Files
Buy me a coffee promo: McBride Communications and Media
For more on the BC Gay and Lesbian Archives see Vancouver Archives
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