Charges laid in slaying of Hells Angels member Greg Slewidge
Criminal charges have been laid in the brutal 2020 killing of Greg Slewidge at a Beckwith Township property.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested 47-year-old Michael Clairoux of Nepean and 38-year-old Lee Marrazzo of Luskville, Que., following a 16-month investigation supported by a co-ordinated visual and social media campaign and $50,000 reward.
Police made the announcement on Jan. 19 during a virtual news conference at the Kanata OPP detachment.
“Everything combined allowed my investigators and I to hone in on these two suspects,” Det. Insp. Chris Landry, major case manager with the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch, told the Canadian Gazette the same day. “Both men were arrested without incident at separate locations in Ontario the afternoon of Jan. 18.”
He would not speak to any evidentiary matters, when asked if a tip from the public led to the arrests.
“Our information is before the court, and we want to maintain the integrity of the investigation,” Landry explained.
OPP found Slewidge at 1864 Scotch Corners Rd. the morning of Sept. 24. Police initially reported the incident as a sudden death; however, an autopsy conducted in Ottawa the following day confirmed it was a homicide. Slewidge sustained blunt force injuries consistent with some type of hard object.
Slewidge rented the property in 2017 and converted a commercial building on site, a former abattoir, into a legal marijuana grow operation.
Clairoux and Marrazzo made their first court appearance on Jan. 19, charged with first-degree murder. The charges have not been proven in court.
Slewidge was a known member of the Hells Angels Nomads of Ontario. After his death, members of the Hells Angels took to social media to express their sorrow. Several acronyms were used: MLLH & R (Much love, loyalty, honour and respect); L & R (Love and respect); and AFFA (Angels forever, forever Angels).
Landry would not discuss any possible association Clairoux and Marrazzo had with the outlaw motorcycle club.
“We do believe the victim and accused persons were known to each other, but I cannot say anything more than that at this time,” he said.
Slewidge’s father is retired OPP officer Lyndon Slewidge, who was the official anthem singer for the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club for over 20 years.
“I keep in touch with the family,” Landry indicated. “The call yesterday was one I wanted to make for a long time.”
“These cases are marathons … this is one chapter,” he continued. “We will be with them every step of the way, helping them understand what is facing us in the future.”
Police have asked the public and media to respect the Slewidge family’s privacy as they continue to grieve the loss of a father, brother and son.
“It has been very challenging for the family, with missed birthdays and Christmases … as you can imagine,” Landry stated.
OPP expressed its appreciation to all of its participating members, both uniform and specialty support units, including the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Biker Enforcement Unit, Emergency Response Team and the Regional Support Team, as well as Ottawa Police Service, Sûreté du Québec and Service de police de la Ville de Montréal for their assistance with the investigation.
“This was certainly a huge team effort,” Landry stressed. “Many people worked diligently and tirelessly over the past 16 months to bring this resolution.”
“The creative and dedicated effort demonstrated by our members — assisted by members of OPP specialty support units and our law enforcement partners — make police leaders very proud,” Deputy Commissioner Chuck Cox, commander of the OPP Investigations and Organized Crime, conveyed.
OPP urges anyone with information to call the tip line at 1-844-478-5656 or their local police service, or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or https://crimestoppers.ca/send-a-tip/.
“As far as I am concerned, until a conviction is registered, the investigation is ongoing and it continues,” Landry commented. “However, I can say there is no threat to the community.”
