Lambton OPP still probing Kettle and Stony Point man’s unsolved death

Last week’s call for information about two more suspects police say are linked to the targeted killing of a Sarnia boilermaker in a rural woodlot isn’t the only homicide investigation Lambton OPP’s major crimes unit is still probing.

The body of Andrew Chute, 45, was found near the entrance of the Marthaville habitat management area, a Lambton County-owned site in Enniskillen Township just outside of Petrolia, around 7 am on April 14, 2022. Police said Chute was shot to death in a targeted attack.

Jason Nahmabin, 43, of Sarnia was arrested about two weeks later and charged with first-degree murder. James Armstrong, 43, of Sarnia was arrested several weeks later and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Chute’s death. Armstrong was granted lease in June while Nahmabin is still behind bars as the charges are still before the courts.

But based on court documents obtained by The Observer last summer, it appeared police were still searching for at least one more suspect and last Friday investigators asked the public for help in identifying two unknown people who they believe left the scene and drove to London.

“Police are now encouraging members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in identifying two additional suspects who remain at large,” police said in the statement.

The suspects left the scene in a gray Acura and drove to London, police said in the statement that included two photos of the suspect vehicle.

The search for those suspects was brought up by Chris Hogg, Lambton OPP’s acting staff sergeant, during Wednesday’s police board meeting at headquarters in Petrolia.

“Major crimes continue to busy,” he told the board. “They’re continuing the Chute homicide investigation from the Marthaville conservation area.”

But that isn’t the only investigation the major crimes unit continues to probe for answers, he said.

“They are actively investigating the unsolved homicide of David Oliver from Kettle and Stony Point,” he said.

The body of the 29-year-old man from the First Nation north of Sarnia and his red Dodge Ram pickup truck were found by police during an extensive search on Aug. 2, 2020. The investigation was deemed a homicide two days later.

A $50,000 cash reward and a dedicated tip line were opened later that fall for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible, but no arrests have been announced since then. Anyone with information is asked to call the dedicated tip line at 1-833-525-8477. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or hc-cs.ca for a potential cash reward.

Oliver’s death took place during one of the deadliest two-year stretches in Sarnia-Lambton’s history.

As for the Chute probe, anyone who may have seen the vehicle at the time of the incident is asked to contact another dedicated OPP tip line at 1-844-677-9408, email [email protected], or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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@ObserverTerry