Guelph, Ontario – December 12, 1996: It was supposed to be a quiet winter evening for 42-year-old Wayne Greavette, a husband, father, and entrepreneur from rural Guelph. But when a neatly wrapped parcel arrived at his door that night, what looked like a Christmas gift became one of Ontario’s most haunting unsolved murders.
Inside the package was a homemade bomb disguised as a flashlight. When Wayne pressed the button, the device exploded instantly—killing him in front of his wife and son. Nearly three decades later, the same chilling question remains:
Who sent the bomb—and why?
What Happened on December 12, 1996
On that cold December night, Wayne was relaxing in his living room with his wife Dianne, 21-year-old son Justin, and his brother. A white-wrapped parcel had arrived earlier by Canada Post—appearing perfectly ordinary.
Inside was a flashlight and a typed business letter that mentioned a potential investment opportunity linked to Wayne’s plan to launch a spring-water bottling business near his new rural property on Concession 11.
The note ended with an eerie message:
“Have a Merry Christmas and may you never have to buy another flashlight.”
Moments later, Wayne flicked the flashlight’s switch—and the bomb detonated. The blast, packed with nails and industrial-grade explosives, killed him instantly. His family witnessed the horrific scene inside their quiet farmhouse, which quickly became the focus of a massive homicide investigation.
Who Was Wayne Greavette?
Wayne Greavette was a hard-working entrepreneur and father of two. Friends described him as driven, loyal, and family-oriented. After years working in the beverage and packaging industries, Wayne had just purchased land near Guelph to begin a bottled-water venture—his dream of building a business for his family’s future.
But someone wanted him gone.
Investigators quickly determined that the bombing was targeted and deliberate. The device was sophisticated, and the sender seemed to know intimate details about Wayne’s life, business interests, and possibly personal conflicts.
The Investigation
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), working with the RCMP and Canada Post inspectors, launched one of the province’s largest murder investigations.
Evidence showed the parcel had been mailed from Acton, Ontario, using a fake return address. The wrapping paper and materials were traced to local stores around Milton—indicating that the sender was familiar with the area.
Witnesses reported seeing two unidentified men at the Acton Post Office shortly before the bombing, asking for Wayne’s address. They were never identified.
Over the years, investigators explored several theories:
- Business rivalry: Wayne’s entry into the bottling industry may have angered competitors or associates.
- Personal conflict: Family friends mentioned possible tensions that could have made him a target.
- Revenge or jealousy: The killer’s precision suggested someone who knew him well and planned meticulously.
Despite hundreds of interviews, forensic tests, and public appeals, no arrests were ever made.
A Family’s 30-Year Fight for Justice
For Wayne’s wife Dianne, son Justin, and daughter Danielle, life has never been the same. They have spent nearly three decades searching for answers and keeping the case alive through media appearances and documentaries, including CBC’s The Fifth Estate.
“Someone out there knows who did this,” said Danielle. “We just want justice for our father.”
The Greavette family believes Wayne was murdered for deeply personal reasons—not by a stranger, but by someone he once trusted.
The Government of Ontario continues to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Wayne’s killer.
A Case That Still Captivates Canada
The Greavette mail-bomb case remains one of Canada’s most disturbing unsolved murders. Its rare method—an explosive hidden in a mailed gift—has drawn comparisons to the 1984 Air India bombing and other targeted explosive crimes.
Online true-crime forums, podcasts, and documentaries continue to revisit the case, analyzing the cryptic letter and the killer’s chilling sense of timing. Many believe the murder was committed by someone with personal vendetta and technical knowledge of explosives.
In 2021, the OPP renewed its public appeal, confirming that the case remains active and investigators continue to follow new leads.
Official Appeal: How to Help
Authorities believe someone still holds the key to solving Wayne Greavette’s murder. If you have any information—no matter how small—please contact:
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP): 1-888-310-1122
- Crime Stoppers (Anonymous): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
- Online Tips: ontariocrimestoppers.ca
Nearly 30 years have passed since the night a family’s life was shattered by a bomb disguised as a Christmas present. Yet, the Greavette family continues to believe that truth and justice will one day prevail.