Christopher Myers, 27, pleads guilty to murder of Ardeth Wood

A man has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of 27-year-old Ardeth Wood, who went missing while cycling on an Ottawa bike path in 2003 and whose body was found days later.

Christopher Myers, 27, entered the plea Monday morning in an Ottawa courtroom after his lawyers reached a deal with the Crown.

As part of the deal, he will be sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole in 10 years, the soonest possible for a second-degree murder conviction. (full story)

Ardeth Wood

On Wednesday August 6, 2003, 27 year old Ardeth Wood was visiting her family in Orleans, in the east end of Ottawa. She was on leave from her PhD studies at the University of Waterloo. Shortly after twelve noon, she informed her mother that she was going for a bike ride and would be back in a few hours. After failing to return, Ardeth was reported missing that evening by her parents.

The largest search operation ever undertaken by the Ottawa Police Service began. Witness information lead the Search Team to the area of Green's Creek near the mouth of the Ottawa River. This area of Green's Creek is located near a highly traveled bicycle/walking path which runs parallel to the Rockliffe/Aviation Parkway from downtown to Orleans.

On Sunday August 10, 2003, the bicycle used by Ardeth Wood was found submerged in Green's Creek. On Monday August 11 2003, the concealed body of Ardeth Wood was discovered near the shoreline just meters from where her bicycle was found. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be drowning. (Ottawa Police Services)