Smiths Falls man charged in 2023 Elizabethtown-Kitley death

A Smiths Falls man has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2023 death of Elizabethtown-Kitley resident Giles Dagenais.

On July 31, shortly after 7 a.m., Leeds County OPP officers were called to a home in the Toledo area, where they found the 66-year-old deceased.

After what police describe as an extensive investigation, officers arrested Ronald Gough, 58, of Smiths Falls on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. He has been charged with first-degree murder under section 231 of the Criminal Code. This charge has not been proven in court.

Gough was remanded in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

The investigation is being carried out by the Leeds County OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from the Smiths Falls Police Service. The Office of the Chief Coroner, the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and OPP Forensic Identification Services are also supporting the case.

“The investigative team showed outstanding dedication and determination in pursuing every lead to bring clarity to a case that has deeply affected the community,” OPP Detective Inspector Jocelyn Sauve said in a statement. “The tireless efforts of the team, including our OPP support units and the Smiths Falls Police Service, led to identifying and arresting an individual in connection with this tragic crime. We are sincerely grateful for the public’s support and the valuable information they provided throughout the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.