This article introduces a podcast series by investigative reporter Amy Dempsey Raven for the Toronto Star, exploring mysterious deaths in the Harrison family over five years at their home on Pitch Pine Crescent. Each episode delves into one death: Bill Harrison in 2009, Bridget Harrison shortly after, and finally their son Caleb. Despite initial police dismissals of foul play, new evidence led to a murder investigation following Caleb’s death. The series examines discrepancies in the official explanations and the family's suspicions about unnatural causes behind each fatality.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In April 2009, Bridget Harrison returned home to find her husband of 40 years, Bill, dead behind a locked bathroom door at their house on 3635 Pitch Pine Crescent. Authorities ruled his death as natural, but the family suspected foul play. Less than five years later, two more deaths occurred in the same household: one involving Caleb Harrison, Bill and Bridget's son, and another related to a bitter legal battle over custody of Caleb’s children with Melissa Merritt. Investigative reporter Amy Dempsey Raven from the Toronto Star spent over a decade investigating these tragic events, revealing inconsistencies in police explanations and suggesting deeper issues within the family.
Written for “Harrisons Tragedy” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 10253 · logged 2026-09-15
From the outside, 3635 Pitch Pine Crescent looked like the kind of home where nothing bad could happen, the gathering place for every birthday and holiday.
uncertain
nothing → look → birthday
Until, one spring night when tragedy struck.
asserted
tragedy → strike → night
In less than five years, three people would end up dead in the same house.
asserted
people → end → house
Each time, the authorities found a way to explain it away.
asserted
authorities → find → it
But the family who loved them knew something was wrong.
asserted
something → love → them
Host Amy Dempsey Raven, an investigative reporter for the Toronto Star, spent more than a decade asking what really happened inside that house?
asserted
what → spend → house
Listen to episodes as they are released each week right here at the Star, or binge all episodes of What Happened to the Harrisons? by subscribing at Apple Podcasts.
asserted
What → listen → Podcasts
In April 2009, Bridget Harrison comes home to find her husband of 40 years dead behind a locked bathroom door.
asserted
husband → come → door
Police say he died naturally.
asserted
he → say → ?
But for his family, something’s not adding up.
asserted
something → add → family
Episode 2: Tug of War
When Caleb Harrison meets Melissa Merritt, she gives him two kids who look like him and a fresh start.
asserted
who → meet → him
But their marriage burns to the ground…and what’s left is a bitter, years-long battle waged through the courts, the police, and a string of accusations.
asserted
left → burn → accusations
Episode 3: Think Dirty
A year after burying her husband, Bridget is certain his death was no accident - and she’s ready to say so, out loud, in a courtroom.
asserted
she → think → courtroom
But she never gets the chance.
asserted
she → get → chance
Episode 4: Haunted House
Caleb has turned his life around.
asserted
Caleb → turn → life
Then, one morning, he doesn’t show up for work.
asserted
he → show → work
When police arrive at the Harrison home for the third time in four years, theycan no longer call it a coincidence.
asserted
police → arrive → it
Episode 5: “I’m a Murderer”
Broke and starting over, Melissa and her new husband Chris find an unexpected friend in a generous stranger named Sue.
asserted
Melissa → ’m → stranger
But nothing about their new life is quite what it seems — and someone is listening to their every word.
asserted
someone → seem → word
Episode 6: Easy Ways to Kill and Get Away With It
It looks like the Harrisons might finally get justice.
uncertain
Harrisons → kill → justice
But as the trial approaches, key evidence is tossed out.
asserted
evidence → approach → ?
And a strong motive comes to light.
asserted
motive → come → light
Episode 7: Karma is a Lie
With the killers convicted, the Harrisons expect answers.
asserted
Harrisons → convict → answers
How the hell did three people die before this killing spree ended?
asserted
spree → die → ?
Before the family can catch their breath, they get awful news.
asserted
they → catch → news
The deaths of Bill and Bridget Harrison were not investigated as homicides until their son, Caleb, was murdered.
asserted
son → investigate → homicides
That’s when police finally
The deaths of Bill and Bridget Harrison were not investigated as homicides until their son, Caleb, was murdered.
asserted
son → ’ → homicides
That’s when police finally
asserted
That → ’ → ?
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