Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2008
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Authors: Jesse McLean and Sunny Freeman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

WOMAN, 21, FOUND DEAD AT GROW-OP

A 25-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after
police discovered the body of a woman Wednesday while investigating a
marijuana grow-op in  Oshawa.

Police responded to a tip received Tuesday of suspicious activity at
an Oshawa house on Bloor St. E. near Ritson Rd. Officers found a grow
operation in the  building's basement, as well as the woman's body.

She has been identified as 21-year-old Amber Francis Young of
Oshawa.

Durham police Sgt. Paul McCurbin said they had a missing-person
report for Young.

Jason Rodgerson, 25, of Bloor St. E. in Oshawa, has been charged with
second-degree murder, indignity to a  dead body, producing marijuana
and possession for the  purposes of trafficking.

Stephen Roberts, 30, of Stevenson Rd. in Oshawa, is also charged with
producing marijuana and possession for the purpose of
trafficking.

Both men appeared in Oshawa court today and are being held in
custody.

Amber's sister, Nivek Young, told the Star she has never heard of the
two men. She said she had no idea  why her sister's body turned up at
the house.

She said Amber, a stay-at-home mom to her 1-year-old son Gavin,
"tried to be the best mother in the world."

She said after Amber went missing Sunday night her family was
worried, but couldn't do anything for 24  hours. Police said the
investigation is in the early stages, and homicide detectives are
still trying to  determine the nature of the relationship between
Young and Rodgerson.

Matthew Morra, who lives across the street from where the body was
found, said the owner of the home told him two painters had rented it
out and moved in six to  eight weeks ago. Morra said he rarely saw
them. When he  did they were dressed in painting overalls and taking 
large stuffed garbage bags inside.

When contacted, the home owner declined to comment.

Young is the third homicide victim in Durham Region  this
year.

- - With files from Raveena Aulakh
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin