14 years after Ontario nurse was murdered, police renew appeal for info

Police are again appealing to the public for information around 14 years after Ontario nurse Sonia Varaschin was murdered.

Ontario Provincial Police said Friday that officers “remain relentless” in their search for the 42-year-old’s killer.

“The Ontario Provincial Police is once again urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how minor,” a news release said.

A $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible remains in place.

Police said that on Aug. 30, 2010, officers from the former Orangeville Police Service launched an investigation after Varaschin’s car was found abandoned behind a business in downtown Orangeville.

Orangeville police requested help from the OPP on the same day.

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Credit: Handout / OPP

Several days later, on Sept. 5, 2010, Varaschin’s body was found in a wooded area off of Beech Grove Sideroad in Caledon by a man walking his dog, police said.

Investigators found blood on the rear trunk area of Varaschin’s car, and when police went to check on Varaschin at her home, they discovered evidence of “a violent event” – police say there was “a great deal of blood” inside the home, as well as on the front step.

“Sonia was targeted. However, she may have not known who did this to her, but they knew who she was,” said Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford of the OPP.

And while police said her body was found in poor condition and that heat and moisture have an impact on DNA evidence, a “minor male profile” was able to be recovered. That sample has been called “weak” by police, but investigators are hopeful that new developments in DNA technology will help lead to a break in the case.

“Investigators believe that someone has the missing piece of information that will help identify the person(s) responsible for Sonia’s murder and bring resolution to her family,” the release said.

“The OPP will never close an unsolved homicide.”

Police haven’t revealed how Varaschin was murdered, saying it forms evidence in the case.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

— With files from Ryan Rumbolt