The woman responsible for the death of Toronto Police Det.-Const. Bill Hancox has received permission to travel to another province. Elaine Rose Smith, formerly known as Cece, was granted a temporary leave to visit her elderly mother, a decision reached by the Parole Board of Canada.
The board determined Smith, now 67, presents a “manageable risk” if allowed to travel 350 kilometers from Toronto to reconnect with her Indigenous mother and extended family. She is currently serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, a consequence of a brutal act committed on August 4, 1998.
The tragedy unfolded when Smith, acting on the urging of her partner Barbara Ann Taylor, fatally stabbed Det.-Const. Hancox through the open window of his unmarked minivan. The 32-year-old officer had briefly stopped for a snack during a stakeout, unaware of the imminent danger. He left behind a pregnant wife and a two-year-old daughter.
The events leading to the murder were rooted in desperation. Smith and Taylor, both struggling with crack addiction and homelessness, had been denied access to a psychiatric unit at Scarborough Centenary Hospital. Driven by a desire to escape their circumstances, they sought to steal a vehicle and start anew.
Prior to the murder, Smith and Taylor were involved in a violent attack on fellow inmate Marcia Dooley, a convicted child killer, while awaiting trial at the Toronto West Detention Centre. The incident highlighted the volatile nature of their partnership and their capacity for aggression.
Smith has been on day parole since 2021, demonstrating a period of reintegration into society. Taylor, recently diagnosed with aggressive cancer, was also granted day parole earlier this year. Both women’s histories are marked by hardship and addiction.
The Parole Board’s decision acknowledges Smith’s Indigenous heritage and the profound impact of “historical trauma” – her mother and grandmother being survivors of the residential school system. Her struggles with substance abuse were also linked to the introduction of alcohol to her ancestors as a tool of colonization.
Despite a minor breach of her parole conditions in September 2024, the board noted Smith’s “generally responsible behaviour” during her time on day parole. She actively participates in volunteer work, occasional part-time employment, and Indigenous cultural and spiritual activities.
A psychological assessment from July 2021 indicated a “low-moderate risk of re-offending with violence.” The board weighed this risk against the systemic injustices and intergenerational trauma that contributed to her criminal behavior, striving for a balanced approach.
Smith previously completed a similar extended travel pass to visit her mother in June, providing a precedent for this recent decision. The board continues to monitor her progress, recognizing the complexities of her past and the importance of familial connection in her rehabilitation.
