OPP tight lipped about investigation into Sarnia man’s murder there

Lambton OPP are saying little about the murder of a Sarnia man at the Marthaville Habitat as his family prepares for a funeral.

Around 7:15 Thursday, police were called to the popular hiking spot on Marthaville Road after a body was found. 

About six police vehicles lined the closed road most of Thursday with orange pylons and smaller orange markers dotting the road. 

Neighbours in the area say OPP came to their door Thursday asking if they had heard anything in the conservation area overnight. 

Officers could be seen walking along the road, scanning the ditches by the trees and beside the farm field across the road from the habitat.

Friday, the road was still closed to the public with only one police cruiser and a van visible at the site mid morning.

In a news release Friday afternoon, OPP said 45 year-old Andrew Chute’s body was found in the parking lot at the popular walking trail between Churchill Line and Lasalle Road. Police say he’d been murdered.

“Investigators believe this to be a targeted incident at this time, and there is no threat to public safety. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario,” officials said in a news release.

The Marthaville Habitat is owned by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and is a popular spot for people to take their dogs for a stroll along the three kilometre trail. The trail is often busy in the early morning.

OPP had a call from a park visitor who came upon the man’s body. “The poor person who would have went there first this morning,” said the neighbour, imagining the discovery.

Police maintained a presence on at the habitat until late Sunday when Marthaville Road was reopened. However police barracaded the park gates. Lambton County is the owner of the property. Warden Kevin Marriott said the habitat was expected to be reopened to the public Wednesday. Wednesday morning, county work crews were laying new gravel on the parking lot.

Since Friday, when police confirmed the Sarnia man found in Marthaville had been murdered, little has been said.

Police haven’t released a motive for the attack which led to the man’s death.

Chute was a mechanic/welder with International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, according to his social media profile.

Chute leaves behind a daughter, Haley who wrote beneath his obituary “Oh Dad, this is a huge shock! I’ll never forget your smile or laugh. You’re still here with everyone but just through me. I am a mini you and that’s a given! I love you so much dad.”

In the obituary, Chute is described as someone who loved being outside.

“Andrew excelled at all sports, hockey and weight lifting in particular. He enjoyed fishing in the local waterways and was always the first to lend a hand when someone needed help,” his family wrote in the obituary. “Andrew was known for his infectious laugh.”

A funeral service for Chute will be held Friday.