Forensic Art Added to Kenora Remains Investigation
OPP, Coroner's Office and Forensic Pathology Service Partner to Try to Identify Woman
ORILLIA, ON, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Investigators are hoping the release of new facial approximations created by an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Forensic Artist will bolster their efforts to identify human remains found in the City of Kenora in June 2009.
At a media conference to update the investigation and seek further assistance from the public and medical community to identify the individual, OPP Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod - Provincial Commander Investigations and Organized Crime, and Detective Constable Karen Rustige - Case Manager from the OPP Kenora Detachment - were joined by Dr. Michael B. Wilson - Regional Supervising Coroner, and Dr. Kathy Gruspier of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service to unveil front and side view facial approximations created by Forensic Artist/Reconstruction Analyst Constable Rachel Zuidervliet.
The body of the unidentified female was discovered in a small tent located in a wooded area near Miller Rapids Road on June 17, 2009. OPP investigators believe foul play was not a factor in her death. The deceased was a Caucasian female, between the ages of 35 and 55 years, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds, with shoulder length light brown hair. She was wearing oval-shaped eyeglasses with wire upper rims. The investigation revealed that the deceased experienced extensive reconstructive jaw surgery -- likely done in a major centre. (Further details of the investigation are available in the backgrounder accompanying this release.)
The facial approximations, photos of the scene surroundings and other information that may help identify this individual are available for the public to view at www.missing-u.ca (Case # 20090051OPP). Anyone with information may contact the Kenora OPP Detachment at (807) 548-5534, your local police service, CrimeStoppers, or by visiting the Resolve Initiative website at www.missing-u.ca
QUOTES
"Through the expert work of the OPP Forensic Artist and our partnership with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, we are hopeful we can identify this person and bring some closure to her loved ones. They deserve to know what happened to her."
-- Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod, Commander - OPP Investigations and Organized Crime
"The motto of the coroner is 'We speak for the dead to protect the living.' I welcome the opportunity to work together with the OPP, the forensic pathology service and other skilled specialists on this valuable project to seek this woman's identity."
-- Dr. Michael B. Wilson, Regional Supervising Coroner - Northwestern Ontario
"Collaboration and teamwork go into every aspect of building a profile of an unidentified person and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service is very proud to contribute its forensic expertise to this important initiative."
-- Dr. Kathy Gruspier - Ontario Forensic Pathology Service
LEARN MORE
About the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario (OCC), click here.
About the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS), click here.
MEDIA NOTE: Media can access the facial approximations, photos of scene surroundings and other items associated with this investigation, and backgrounders at this link.
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SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police
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