The man charged with the first-degree murder of a missing Ottawa woman has a history of intimate partner violence cases, court records show.
Joshua Blair, 35, is accused of murdering 54-year-old Rachelle Desrochers on or about March 16, as well as committing an indignity to her body by throwing it in a dumpster.
Blair was initially charged with second-degree murder. Earlier this week, an upgraded charge of first-degree murder was filed in court.
Desrochers was last seen alive on Elgin Street on March 14, two days before her alleged murder, according to a missing person announcement issued by Ottawa police in April. On Sunday, police announced her alleged murder and the search for her remains at a local landfill.
Search efforts took place last weekend and earlier this week. Her remains have not been found.
Multiple arrests for domestic violence
According to court records, Blair was charged in June 2023 with mischief under $5,000 for damaging a patio table, chairs and a television belonging to another woman with whom he was in a relationship. CBC is not naming the woman because she is a victim of intimate partner violence, and CBC has been unable to reach her.
The court ordered Blair not to communicate with or go near the woman, nor three other people who shared her last name.
When Blair failed to show up at the Ottawa Courthouse to be fingerprinted and photographed that same month, he was charged with failing to comply with an undertaking.
On July 12, 2023, Blair returned to the woman’s house where he kicked open her front door and entered. He was subsequently arrested and charged with failing to comply with an undertaking not to communicate with the woman or her relatives, being within 250 metres of her home, and breaking and entering.
On Oct. 23, 2023, Blair pleaded guilty to the original mischief charge, as well as being unlawfully in a dwelling. The other charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown.
Blair ’embarrassed,’ lawyer told court
At his sentencing, Blair’s then lawyer Carey MacLellan said his client was remorseful for his actions toward his former partner.
“Joshua has, from moment one, encouraged me to resolve these matters so he could take responsibility for himself. He seems to be embarrassed. His emotions got the best of him,” MacLellan said at the time.
On the recommendation of both the defence and Crown, Ontario Court Justice Robert Wadden handed down a 90-day conditional sentence (house arrest) and one year of probation. Blair was again ordered to stay away from and not communicate with the woman and three other individuals sharing her last name.
He was also ordered to attend and actively participate in a partner assault response program.
In July 2024, Blair was charged with violating his probation by failing to report to his probation officer. He pleaded guilty in February 2025 and received a suspended sentence and another year of probation.
The next month, on or about March 16, police allege he murdered Desrochers and disposed of her body in a dumpster. The allegations have not been proven.
In April, Blair was charged with breaching his 2023 probation order for failing to attend domestic violence counselling between mid-October 2024 and mid-January 2025. That case remains before the court.
Arrested twice in 11 days
On May 13, Blair was arrested and accused of unlawfully entering the house he agreed to stay away from, punching and kicking holes in the drywall, and violating his probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
He was released later that same day after posting a $1,000 bond under conditions to stay away from the home he had unlawfully entered, and not to possess tools for breaking into buildings or vehicles.
Eleven days later he was again arrested and charged with breaching probation by failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
That charge was withdrawn at the request of the Crown that same day. Also that day, Blair was charged with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body. He remains in custody and is next set to appear in court on Friday.
Police have labelled Desrochers’s killing a femicide. CBC has not been able to confirm how Blair and Desrochers knew each other.
CBC reached out to Blair’s lawyer, Jason Gilbert, but he declined to comment at the time.
