In 2023, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) discovered presumed bloodstains in Dean Penney’s garage, seven years after an altercation that allegedly led to Jennifer Hillier-Penney’s demise. RCMP Sgt. Jonathan Moran revealed the findings at the Supreme Court in Corner Brook, indicating the presence of multiple stains in Penney’s garage. These stains, identified by an RCMP bloodstain pattern analyst, included one near the stairs leading to the garage entrance and a gun safe at the base of the stairs.
During the investigation, a chemiluminescent reaction was observed in one of the stains, causing it to glow blue in the dark. Moran explained that this reaction was achieved through Bluestar reagent testing, where a mixture of chemicals and water is sprayed on suspected areas. If iron, present in hemoglobins found in blood, is detected, the stain illuminates in blue. This method, along with another testing approach, was utilized to analyze the stains.
Penney had previously disclosed to an undercover RCMP officer his involvement in a physical altercation with his estranged wife in the garage years before. He admitted to pushing Hillier-Penney down the stairs, causing her to hit her head on the gun safe. Penney further confessed to striking her multiple times with a small hammer to prevent her from regaining consciousness.
Despite cleaning the garage with bleach post-incident and discarding the cleaning supplies, Penney denied the first-degree murder charge related to Hillier-Penney’s disappearance, emphasizing that his confession was false. Moran highlighted three main stains in the garage and detailed the examination process, which began in 2016 with the inspection of Hillier-Penney’s vehicle and continued with forensic analysis of Penney’s property.
Additional investigations in 2023 focused on Penney’s garage, conducted shortly after his second confession. The stain in question was swabbed 2.9 meters above the floor, among other areas identified for sampling. The court was informed that sections of the wall and stairs where stains were found were removed for further analysis.
During cross-examination, concerns were raised about the reliability of the swabbing tests, with Moran acknowledging potential false positives due to various factors, including the presence of bleach and other substances. The defense argued that subsequent lab work was necessary to confirm the stains as blood.
Moving forward, the trial will continue with further testimonies and evidence analysis, shedding light on the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the case.