Dr. Sasha Reid

Dr. Sasha Reid's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature began in childhood, when she would explore the woods in search of the "monsters" from fairy tales. A series of early experiences revealed to her that while monsters may not be real, people can commit monstrous acts. This formative realization sparked a lifelong commitment to studying the minds, lives, and crimes of real-life "monsters."

Today, as a Developmental Psychologist with a PhD from the University of Toronto and a JD from the University of Calgary, Dr. Reid focuses on understanding the development of serial killers and advocates for unsolved missing and murdered persons cases across Canada. Her work with inmates has deepened her insight into the psychological drivers of serial violence. Over the past decade, Dr. Reid has mapped the developmental trajectories of serial offenders and created one of the world's most comprehensive databases of serial killers.

Additionally, Dr. Reid has also developed Canada’s largest database of cold case homicides and disappearances. Her work on cold cases began in 2018 when a close friend went missing and was later found deceased. This personal loss made Dr. Reid acutely aware of the emotional toll such tragedies have on families and communities. In response, she dedicated herself to documenting the names and stories of Canada’s missing and murdered, ensuring that their legacies are preserved and never forgotten.

Today, Dr. Reid leverages her two databases - the Serial Homicide Database (SHD) and the Missing/Murdered Database (MMD) - to identify patterns and suspicious clusters of missing persons, as well as body disposal sites, in order to track geographic hotspots of criminal activity. Her work focuses particularly on crimes affecting historically vulnerable and marginalized groups. In collaboration with her team, the Midnight Order, and in partnership with women’s organizations, Dr. Reid advocates for the rights of women and girls, pushing for systemic change. She is also committed to mentoring and educating young adults who aspire to pursue careers that make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Dr. Reid’s leadership in this field has garnered national recognition, particularly for her involvement in the cases of serial killers Bruce McArthur and Robert Pickton.  Dr. Reid’s tireless advocacy has also been highlighted in the Disney+ documentary series, Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order, which has recently been nominated for a “Women’s Image Award” which celebrates outstanding film and television that dispels media stereotypes.