76-Year-Old Canadian Dies After Being Left Tied Up in Basement of Burning House

Neighbors could hear Livia Beirnes crying for help, but by the time firefighters were able to rescue her, she had inhaled too much smoke.

Livia Beirnes with her children, Naomi and Varley / CHCH News

At 8:50 PM on August 4, 2010, firefighters were called to a fire at the Oakwood Avenue home of 76-year-old Livia Beirnes in St. Catharines, Canada.

Neighbors had rushed over to the burning house and could hear Livia crying for help from the basement. They asked her if she could reach a window or a door, but Livia replied that she was tied to a pole and couldn’t get loose.

Once firefighters were at the scene, they were able to free Livia and transport her to the hospital. Sadly, her injuries were too severe, and she died the next day from smoke inhalation.

Livia’s brutal and seemingly random murder shocked St. Catharines. At the time, the Niagara Regional Police Service was confident that they would solve the case. But 15 years later, those responsible have not been identified.

According to investigators, Livia had been bound with Ty-Rap Cable Tie brand zip ties, which were not widely sold in retail stores at the time. They believe the suspect brought the zip ties with them to the house.