Unsolved Murders, Accusations, and a Troubling Trail: Examining the Legacy of Lester Landry
Lester Landry - did brah murder, or nah?
The murder of Hazel Lloyd in 2012 remains one of Medicine Hat’s most baffling unsolved cases. But as more details about a certain individual surface, questions arise: could the person once labeled as a "person of interest" in multiple crimes hold the key to justice?
Lester Landry, 66, a former Medicine Hat resident, has a troubling history intertwined with violent crimes, missing persons cases, and a kidnapping accusation. His name has repeatedly appeared in connection with high-profile criminal investigations. Yet, despite years of inquiries, composite sketches, and even the occasional arrest, Landry has never faced conviction in relation to these cases. I first met him over a decade ago at the Co-op mall on 13th ave in Medicine Hat, He was hosting a table with his dog to raise awareness about PTSD and service dogs, I later found out that his animal had never been certified as an actual Service Dog, but rather some sort of emotional support creature… That barked way more than the other dogs let into the stores… But I’ll get back on track.
Below is an in-depth look at Landry's connections to crimes spanning decades, the evidence against him, and how his movements over the years weave a chilling tapestry of suspicion.
The only photo of Hazel Lloyd I could find online.
The Murder of Hazel Lloyd (2012)
Hazel Lloyd, 94, was found brutally murdered in her Medicine Hat apartment on August 29, 2012. The fire set in her home destroyed valuable evidence, but an autopsy revealed that her death was caused by "multiple blunt force injuries" inflicted prior to the blaze.
Lloyd’s death shocked the community. Known for her kind demeanor and active role in local seniors' groups, there seemed no apparent motive for the crime.
Investigators zeroed in on her apartment building for leads, and one name rose to prominence: Lester Landry, who lived in the same building and was reportedly the last person to leave the premises the night of the fire.
Though the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) never formally charged Landry, he was widely regarded as the primary suspect. Despite composite sketches and a $10,000 reward offered for information, Lloyd’s murder remains unsolved.
Lester Landry and his dog
Irene Pearson, and her dogs.
Irene, 31 was murdered Nov 15, 1979. Irene was a salesperson for Castlewood Homes and had been showing a home to a potential client. She was hit over the head several times, stabbed repeatedly in the chest, and her body was found in the basement of the house the next morning. The case was reopened in 2007 when DNA samples provided new information. The case is with the Winnipeg Historical Homicide Unit 204-986-3819
https://evelazarus.com/category/podcast/cold-case-canada/
The 1979 Murder of Irene Pearson
Landry’s criminal history stretches back to Winnipeg, where he was a suspect in the brutal 1979 slaying of real estate agent Irene Pearson.
On the evening of November 15, 1979, Pearson, 31, was preparing to show a home in Winnipeg’s Tyndall Park area. The next morning, her body was found in the basement of another vacant home nearby. She had been struck on the head and stabbed 31 times.
At the time, Landry was a 22-year-old car salesman with a warrant out for fraud charges related to passing bad cheques. He later claimed to be the last person to speak with Pearson before her murder.
Winnipeg police questioned Landry multiple times over the years but never had sufficient evidence to charge him. In 2020, investigators traveled to Medicine Hat to interview him again. However, Landry voluntarily cooperated and was not charged.
The 2023 Kidnapping Charge
Landry resurfaced in headlines when he was charged with kidnapping in January 2023. According to MHPS, a woman responded to a housekeeping job ad Landry had posted online. She alleged that Landry confined her in his vehicle and drove her to a remote location.
The woman managed to escape by jumping out of the moving vehicle and contacting police. Landry was arrested nearby.
Despite the serious accusations, Landry denied any wrongdoing, claiming the woman had an "anxiety meltdown" and left his car of her own accord. The charges were later stayed in November 2023, meaning the case would not proceed to trial unless the Alberta Attorney General reopened it within a year.
Landry’s lawyer, Marc Crarer, stated that while Landry was relieved, his reputation had been irreparably damaged.
One commenter described Landry’s alleged behavior as "narcissistic vulnerability," warning that he posed a danger to society.
A Troubling Timeline:
The following timeline outlines Landry’s movements and known accusations over the years:
1979:
November 15: Irene Pearson is murdered in Winnipeg. Landry is questioned as a suspect but never charged.
1980s–1990s:
Landry relocates several times, reportedly moving between Alberta and Manitoba.
Has said he was driving trucks on the “Highway of Tears”
2012:
August 29: Hazel Lloyd is murdered in Medicine Hat. Landry, living in the same building, is named as a person of interest but is not charged.
2020:
Winnipeg police interview Landry again in connection to Irene Pearson’s murder.
2022:
December 30: Jennifer Chemelli-Magnus goes missing in Medicine Hat. Her body is later found, and her death is ruled non-criminal.
2023:
January: Landry is charged with kidnapping a woman in Medicine Hat. The charges are stayed in November.
Unanswered Questions
Despite decades of suspicion, Landry has avoided any convictions related to violent crimes. For the families of Irene Pearson and Hazel Lloyd, the lack of closure is devastating.
In Hazel Lloyd’s case, the deliberate fire destroyed critical evidence. In Irene Pearson’s, advancements in forensic science have yet to yield actionable results.
As for Landry, he continues to live freely, his name frequently mentioned in connection to unresolved tragedies. He even spoke with me at length on the phone about it all in the youtube video below.
A Call for Action
Community advocates are urging law enforcement to revisit these cases. The unsolved murders of Hazel Lloyd and Irene Pearson deserve closure. Whether through DNA advancements, fresh witness testimony, or renewed investigative efforts, justice must prevail. Police in Medicine Hat are offering a $10,000 reward in the murder investigation.
For now, Landry’s name lingers in the shadows of Medicine Hat’s most unsettling mysteries.
Resources:
If you have information about the Hazel Lloyd case, contact the MHPS Major Crimes Section at 403-529-8420.
Lester Landry
Wants MAID - is currently alive, and living in Lethbridge or Medicine Hat… as of Nov 2024…
He regularly makes GoFundMe requests and other online fundraising. Kelly wrote about it a while back…
