Unsolved death of Conestoga College student still haunts family and investigators

Felisha Bennett holds up a poster seeking tips in the death of her 18-year-old son, Joshua Bennett, in September 2024. (CTV News)

Waterloo Regional Police say the investigation into Joshua Bennett’s murder remains open, more than four years after he was found dead along a Kitchener trail.

The 18-year-old’s body was discovered near Paulander Drive early on the morning of Sept. 24, 2021. An autopsy determined he had been stabbed multiple times.

Bennett was from Etobicoke but, at the time of his death, was living in Waterloo while he attended Conestoga College.

Investigators said Bennett arrived on Paulander Drive around 6:30 p.m. the night before his body was found along the trail.

Over the next hour, he was seen interacting with several people near 60 and 40 Paulander Drive. Then, around 7:25 p.m., Bennett and two males were captured on security video following an unidentified man wearing in a long dark coat as they walked away from the housing complex.

It was the last sighting of the 18-year-old.

Investigators said there is still a gap between that moment and the discovery of Bennett’s body.

No one has ever been arrested or charged in connection to his death.

Investigation remains open

Waterloo Regional Police said solving Bennett’s case remains a priority.

“Investigators continue to re-examine all of the evidence in the file, including reviewing any video evidence that exists, looking at interviews that have taken place, seeing if they can get any new leads out of that information,” Insp. Alison Sproule told CTV News.

Even the smallest detail could help advance the investigation.

“It could be something that may seem insignificant at the time,” Sproule explained. “But it could be the missing piece to the investigation that helps bring justice to Joshua Bennett’s family.”

Police said a liaison officer remains in contact with his loved ones.

“We do understand the toll that an unsolved homicide takes on the family, friends and the community at large,” Sproule said.

‘His life was cut short for nothing’

Bennett’s mother called the lack of answers devastating.

“I would tell [my son] that he’s missed very much,” Felisha Bennett told CTV News in an April 2026 interview. “I’m sorry that he had to die alone. I know that must have been very terrifying for him.”

Bennett can never forget that day.

“September 24th – I remember it like it was yesterday. The weather was actually really great. That’s something that kind of hurts,” she recalled. “We don’t know exactly when Josh died and we don’t know exactly when things happened because me, nor the police, were there.”

Bennett described the 18-year-old as kind, ambitious and deeply committed to his goals. He was studying carpentry and renovation at the college and was hoping to build a career.

“He had integrity. He was loving, he was patient, he was truthful,” an emotional Bennett recalled. “If I wasn’t his mom and I knew him, I would always remember him. His life was cut short for nothing.”

Bennett has written books for others experiencing grief and organized events to support people coping with their own loss.

“I’ve written two books now and threw my first brunch for grieving people in the GTA. There will be another one this November. It will actually be on Josh’s birthday – November 7th.”

Bennett said the pain hasn’t faded and the search for answers is far from over. She is urging anyone with information to reach out to investigators.

“You watch what happened or you know something and you’ve remaining silent. The police have done all that they can do. They need people to come forward,” Bennett pleaded. “This September will be five years. Five years his killers have been walking the street.”

Reward still in place

A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for credible information that leads to an arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible for the stabbing.

Tips can be submitted to Waterloo Regional Police’s Major Crime Unit at 519-570-9777, ext. 8191, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.