UPDATE 7 – Detectives Investigating Smithville Homicide – 25 New Charges Laid

On April 26, 2024, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Homicide Unit began an investigation into the death of a female in the Town of Smithville. In October 2024, Joseph VILLNEFF was charged with first-degree murder in the homicide of Cathy PROSJE. As a continuation of the investigation, detectives with the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) became involved in the investigation. In December 2024, ICE detectives charged VILLNEFF with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) and Voyeurism. VILLNEFF has remained in custody and is currently awaiting trial.

This investigation remains ongoing, and in September 2025 additional Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material was located. Detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) and ICE unit have formed grounds to lay additional charges.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 44-year-old Joseph VILLNEFF of West Lincoln was charged with the following criminal offences:

• Secretly Record Person for a Sexual Purpose – Voyeurism (5 Counts)
• Make Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (7 Counts)
• Sexual Assault Under 16 years of age (4 Counts)
• Sexual Interference (4 Counts)
• Unlawfully Possess Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (3 Counts)
• Access Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material
• Making Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material Available

VILLNEFF remains in custody and is scheduled to attend court on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, St Catharines.

Detectives anticipate that further charges will be laid pending the results of the investigation. Detectives believe that there may be other victims and request that anyone with information related to this incident contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009535.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations in partnership with Ontario police services and international agencies. This initiative is made possible through funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

2025-114708, 2025-127417

UPDATE 6 – July 15, 2025

As the investigation by the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Homicide Unit continues, charges have been upgraded in connection with the death of Cathy Prosje.

On Wednesday, July 15, 2025, the charge against 56-year-old Carolyn Prosje, sister of the deceased, was upgraded to:

• First Degree Murder
• Accessory after the fact to murder

Carolyn Prosje remains in custody. Cathy was found deceased in the sisters’ shared home in Smithville on April 26, 2024.

The Niagara Regional Police Service extends its appreciation to members of the public who came forward with information that supported the investigation.

Anyone with information that may further assist with this investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009533.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to individuals who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

UPDATE 5 – June 27, 2025

As a result of continued investigation by homicide detectives into the circumstances surrounding this incident, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit began launching a secondary and parallel investigation.

In addition to the charge of First Degree murder, on Friday June 27, 2025,detectives laid additional charges in connection with this case.

43-year-old Joseph Villneff of Smithville is now facing the following additional charges:

• Possession of Child Pornography - Contrary to S. 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code    
• Voyeurism – Contrary to S. 162(1) of the Criminal Code

Villneff appeared in court at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines on Friday, June 27, 2025 where he continues to remain remanded into custody.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009533.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

UPDATE 4 – January 10, 2025

As a result of continued investigation, on Thursday January 9, 2025, Homicide Unit Detectives arrested a suspect in connection to the death of Cathy Prosje.

55-year-old Carolyn Prosje, sister of the deceased, is facing the following charge:

• Accessory after the fact to murder

Carolyn Prosje is currently being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday January 10, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

Cathy was located deceased in their shared Smithville home on April 26, 2024. The Niagara Regional Police Service would like to thank members of the public who contacted Detectives to assist with this investigation.

Anyone with information that may further assist with this investigation is asked to contact Detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009533.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

UPDATE 3 - October 10, 2024

As a result of continued investigation, on Thursday October 10, 2024, Homicide Unit detectives arrested a suspect in connection to the death of Cathy Prosje.

42-year-old Joseph Villneff of Smithville is facing the following charge:

• First Degree Murder

Villneff is currently being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday October 11, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

Cathy was located deceased in their shared Smithville home on April 26, 2024. The Niagara Regional Police Service would like to thank members of the public who contacted detectives to assist with this investigation.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

UPDATE 2 – August 12, 2024

Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service continue to investigate the death of an adult female in Smithville that occurred on April 26, 2024.

Investigators have identified the female as 62-year-old Cathy Prosje of Smithville and are asking anyone who may have had contact with her prior to her death on April 26, 2024, to come forward.

Additionally, detectives are continuing to look for Cathy’s computer which may have been discarded, traded, sold, or at local pawn shops. It’s described as a Hewlitt Packard Elite Book 840 G9 Notebook, silver with a 14-inchscreen, with serial number 5CG3106K1J (photos attached).

Anyone who has purchased or found this used laptop should contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009533.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

UPDATE 1 – May 2, 2024

Niagara Regional Police Homicide Unit detectives are actively investigating this incident to identify the suspect responsible for this murder and are continuing to speak to people in the community as they investigate the death of a 62-year-old female who was found inside the home.

At this time, no arrests have been made. This is not believed to be a random act of violence. We certainly understand and share the community’s concern. Our Homicide detectives are working to identify the person responsible while ensuring that the integrity of the investigation is not compromised.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009533. Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

ORIGINAL RELEASE – April 27, 2024

On April 26, 2024, at 12:33pm, 8 District (Grimsby/Lincoln/West Lincoln) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service were called to a home in the area of Linden Street and Alma Drive in Smithville.

As a result of an investigation, officers located an adult female deceased inside the home.

The Homicide Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service have taken carriage of the investigation. The Forensic Services Unit (FSU) is currently processing the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3 extension 1009533, or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.

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