RCMP in Alberta have linked the murders of four young women in the 1970s to a serial killer identified through genetic genealogy.

American Gary Allen Srery, who died in the prison in 2011, was living in the Calgary area in the mid-to late 1970s.

The four victims, all young women, ranged in age from 14 to 20.

RCMP Inspector Breanne Brown says police believe more cases in Alberta and BC may be linked to Srery, who they believe used as many as 9 different identities during his time in Canada.

He lived a transient lifestyle and worked occasionally as a cook. He was “adept to frequently changing his appearance, his place of residence and his vehicles.” He is believed to have lived in the Calgary area between 1975 and 1979 and in 1979 and onwards he is believed to have lived in the Sunshine Coast, Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley areas of B.C. until he was arrested for assault in 1998.

Srery died in an Idaho state prison while serving a life sentence for rape.

RCMP Inspector Breanne Brown acknowledged that although many years have passed, she wants the families to know that the victims have never been forgotten.