Accused Murderer of Jewell ‘Lalla’ Langford Returns to Canada to Face Charges

The man accused of murdering a woman and disposing of her body in eastern Ontario back in 1975 has been brought back to Canada. Rodney Nichols, who was charged with the crime in late 2022, was escorted from Hollywood, Florida to eastern Ontario on December 1, 2023, with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service-Office of International Operations.

Nichols, who is currently in custody, is set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in L’Orignal on December 2, 2023, through a virtual hearing. The accused’s return to Canada marks a significant development in the case that has remained unsolved for nearly five decades.

The unidentified woman’s remains were discovered on May 3, 1975, in the Nation River, close to the Highway 417 bridge near Casselman. Due to the inability to establish her identity at the time, she became known as the ‘Nation River Lady.’ However, in 2020, advanced DNA testing led to the victim being identified as 48-year-old Jewell ‘Lalla’ Langford.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation due to the case being before the courts. Therefore, no further details about the progress of the investigation have been provided.

This long-awaited development brings hope for closure to the family and friends of Jewell Langford, who have waited patiently for answers for over 45 years. The case’s resolution would not have been possible without advancements in DNA testing, which have enabled investigators to revisit cold cases and bring justice to victims and their loved ones.

As the accused awaits his virtual appearance in court, the OPP continues its diligent efforts to gather evidence and present a strong case. The legal process will now determine the outcome of this decades-old mystery, providing closure to the community and, most importantly, the family of Jewell Langford.