The OPP on Thursday released several theories regarding the murder of an Orangeville woman in late August.
The information about the death of Sonia Varaschin comes after an investigative summit was held in Toronto that included criminal profilers from the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit as well as experts from the RCMP.
At a news conference Thursday, Detective-Inspector Mark Pritchard asked people to think back to the days following the August killing of Sonia Varaschin.
He wants them to recall if they remember man who may have changed his behaviour — such as starting drinking or using drugs, moving from the area or started keeping to himself.
That may have included unexplained absences from his usual activities, such as missing work, school or appointments.
The 42-year-old nurse was reported missing from her Orangeville home in August and her body was found in a wooded area a few days later.
Investigators believe that the man responsible for Varaschin’s murder s very familiar with Orangeville, and likely the Beachgrove Side Road in the town of Caledon, specifically in the area that Varaschin’s body was discovered. That site may be an area the offender is comfortable with, investigators say, whether as a result of recreation, occupation, or illegal activity.
Investigators wouldn’t go into detail about evidence, but did say they’ve received 460 tips from the public.
Pritchard said this is an unusual case in the fact that the victim had displayed very low-risk behaviour and was attacked in her home.
Pritchard said Varaschin may or may not have known the killer, but he may have been familiar with Varaschin.
The OPP believe that the killer was wearing a size 10 or 11 workbook sold exclusively at Mark’s Work Warehouse.
Police emphasized that they are not releasing other potential evidence to the public as they don’t want to put an ongoing investigation in jeopardy.
Sonia Varaschin’s mother spoke for the first time at the news conference, saying there would be an empty seat at her family’s table this Christmas as she marks her first holiday without her daughter.
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