CANADA Canada - Sonia Varaschin, 42, Orangeville, 29 Aug 2010 - #4

[2soccermom]

I'm also wondering (again!) if Sonia had a cell phone -- does anyone know? And what cell data for her townhouse complex may have been available in summer 2010? Is there any way to know if there was a number pinging close to her phone or to her home that night which might be unexpected or otherwise relevant?
(I know this Q doesn't help if the perp either didn't have a cell phone or planned enough not to bring it that night)

 

[2soccermom]

I was also looking again at the OPP video on Sonia's case (

) -- and scrutinizing the interior of her car at the 1:57m mark. It's obvious the front driver and passenger seats are in different positions, which was probably typical: Sonia was not tall and her bf was. It strikes me (does it you, too?) that the driver's seat is pulled too close for entry and comfort in the video image. Even if someone of same size as Sonia is the perp, I don't see how possible it would be for them to get their body into the seat under the steering wheel. I expect the perp adjusted the seat to enter -- but this looks like they also adjusted the seat on exiting! If this is right, what does this tell us about them? The seat position could speak, I expect, to estimations re: height and leg length, surely? Once more, I am thinking this is someone who was (at least, after the fact) planning and covering. I remain less sure about the "young and reckless"/on drugs profile -- MOO.

Were there any regular/bloody palm or finger prints on the seat adjuster, parking break? Door handles? Was the mirror adjusted -- and readjusted back, also? I posted years ago re: how a detective I met on holiday indicated that shiny surfaces -- and rearview mirrors in car thefts, especially -- tend to yield better prints.
You can see in the video that shows the car interior that there are what appear to be (to me, at least) kind of dusty-ish footprints in the floormat on the passenger side. I'm not suggesting that those prints may be evidence (unless there WERE, as some suspect, more than 1 perp that night); rather, I'm thinking about the driver's side. We know there was a bloody bootprint at one of the scenes. I assumed this came from the townhouse -- but the driver floormat is also a very strong possibility. Was evidence found on the pedals, as well?

Most of all, I just keep asking myself: what are we/LE missing??????? I know LE wants this case solved, as we all do. What will it take? I guess it doesn't hurt to keep reminding ourselves that if there's even that one niggling piece of info -- a thought or knowledge that keeps popping up/rests uneasy -- that it's more-than-ever important to call it in as a tip.

It has been far too many years already.
RIP, Sonia. Thoughts and well wishes as always for your family and friends.

 

[No_Stone_Unturned]

I do agree with all you've stated above. How well was the car investigated by LE? I'm 5'6" and I pull my driver's seat waaaaaay up because I like to be close with the steering wheel. So much so, that it's difficult for ME to even get out. Perhaps Sonia was the same way?
Were the floor mats and the entire interior/exterior gone over with a fine toothed comb? And HOW has this murderer not been caught? Was the radio station changed? Little things can mean so much.

 

[2soccermom]

I believe LE still has Sonia's car in its evidence lot -- does that sound right to those of us here who may remember better than I do? Would it be worth investigators taking another sweep for evidence? (I'm not suggesting LE didn't do a careful search already; I'm just grasping, I guess, for anything that might move the needle on this case.) Sigh....

On another note:
I know several of us here have wondered about the possibilities of connections between Sonia's case and others. Kera Freeland has a websleuths page; she was a beautiful young woman (who had faced some hardships) whose body "was discovered just down the road from where Varaschin was found, in a roadside ditch on Heart Lake Road in March 2011" (ANALYSIS: Why is Caledon a dumping ground for urban criminals?) -- less than a year after Sonia's murder. In 2013, Kera's roommate, CA, was arrested in her murder. So many years have passed and I assumed Kera's case was solved. But a few of us have been in discussion on her WS page and we can't find ANY info on conviction or sentencing of CA, which seems odd.

I had really considered, when Kera was first found, that her case and Sonia's could be linked -- the location where her body was found requires, I'd think, holding that possibility. With the arrest of the roommate, I assumed (for several reasons) I was mistaken. Now, I'm wondering if Kera has had any justice -- and I'm back to thinking about these 2 women whose bodies were left in (it's still hard to type) 'roadside ditches.' I am only asking on Sonia's page because of the lingering idea of potential connection: does anyone familiar with Sonia's case have any info (or perhaps better research skills) re: KF's case? Was there a conviction?
COULD these cases be linked???????

 

[whiterhino]

I believe LE still has Sonia's car in its evidence lot -- does that sound right to those of us here who may remember better than I do? Would it be worth investigators taking another sweep for evidence? (I'm not suggesting LE didn't do a careful search already; I'm just grasping, I guess, for anything that might move the needle on this case.) Sigh....

On another note:
I know several of us here have wondered about the possibilities of connections between Sonia's case and others. Kera Freeland has a websleuths page; she was a beautiful young woman (who had faced some hardships) whose body "was discovered just down the road from where Varaschin was found, in a roadside ditch on Heart Lake Road in March 2011" (ANALYSIS: Why is Caledon a dumping ground for urban criminals?) -- less than a year after Sonia's murder. In 2013, Kera's roommate, CA, was arrested in her murder. So many years have passed and I assumed Kera's case was solved. But a few of us have been in discussion on her WS page and we can't find ANY info on conviction or sentencing of CA, which seems odd.

I had really considered, when Kera was first found, that her case and Sonia's could be linked -- the location where her body was found requires, I'd think, holding that possibility. With the arrest of the roommate, I assumed (for several reasons) I was mistaken. Now, I'm wondering if Kera has had any justice -- and I'm back to thinking about these 2 women whose bodies were left in (it's still hard to type) 'roadside ditches.' I am only asking on Sonia's page because of the lingering idea of potential connection: does anyone familiar with Sonia's case have any info (or perhaps better research skills) re: KF's case? Was there a conviction?
COULD these cases be linked???????

The quote from the link makes it sound like it's been solved?

"Of all the bodies that have turned up in the community, only two cases — Varaschin’s and Kaye’s — remain unsolved."

Whenever certain cases come up I think of Sonia and so many others. As with the LISK, there must be at least one or two of these same types among us. JMO.

 

[2soccermom]

Thanks, whiterhino -- I'm still meaning to follow up on KF's case, and am indeed hoping it has been closed.

We're on the eve of another terrible 'anniversary.' FWIW: I just watched a short video on youtube (/watch?v=6dlwxoS5VS8) of a woman who is a "medium for missing children"; she posted in 2022 that her sense is that Sonia did know her attacker as someone she (Sonia) worked with at Camp C. years ago. The medium suggested the man is about 5'6" or 5'7" tall, and was possibly living in the Barrie area at the time of Sonia's murder. The medium says she passed this info on to police, and suggested that perhaps former co-workers at the camp might have helpful info to share.

I'm not sure if this medium is close or not in her intuition but thought I'd share as I haven't seen this video before (apologies if someone else has shared this and I missed it).

I'm hoping tomorrow we will have an update from LE -- most importantly, I'm really hoping that there will have been some productive movement forward in this case. Surely someone has info. Share it with LE!!
Sonia's family and friends (and the public at large) deserve justice.

 

[2soccermom]

Once again, the appeal is for help from the public -- no tip is too small. No unsolved case is "closed."
From the good folks at BARRIETODAY.com, https://www.barrietoday.com/police-beat/14-years-later-police-
continue-relentless-pursuit-of-sonia-varaschins-killer-9455902:

"It has been 14 years since the murder of 42-year-old Sonia Varaschin, and investigators remain relentless in the search for her killer.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is once again urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how minor.

On Aug. 30, 2010, officers from the former Orangeville Police Service (OPS) began an investigation after Sonia Varaschin's white Toyota Corolla was found abandoned behind a business on Broadway in downtown Orangeville.

On the same day, OPS requested assistance from the OPP.

On Sept. 5, 2010, Sonia Varaschin's remains were found in a wooded area just off Beech Grove Sideroad in Caledon.

Fourteen years later, the OPP continue to investigate the murder of Sonia Varaschin under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch. 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 OPP will never close an unsolved homicide.

A $50,000 continues to be offered for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Sonia Varaschin. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.

The reward poster can be viewed here.

The OPP historical and unsolved cases video series focusing on the murder of Sonia Varaschin can be viewed here."

 

[dotr]

This statement is still chilling, imo. rbbm
Aug. 30, 2024

OPP renews appeal for tips in Sonia Varaschin’s unsolved murder

Fourteen years since the murder of 42-year-old Sonia Varaschin, police say the search for her killer continues with another appeal to the public for information that could help solve the case.

barrie.ctvnews.ca

"Sonia was targeted. However, she may not have known who did this to her, but they knew who she was," said Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford in a 2020 video(opens in a new tab).''

Jan 22, 2020

 

[AddyFinch]

Even after watching clip and rereading, I still can't place all the facts quickly, but I do remember this murder and the rumours that flew thru their small community. She was dating online, could it have been someone from overseas that left country quickly. LE taking DNA samples from all sorts of people including staff at hospitals she worked at (can't believe anyone would offer that up). Or could it have been a sad angry parent of one of her patients, an angry co worker, or jilted lover.
I can't understand why LE says she was targeted but may not have known her attacker. Do they mean she had a stalker? And how would they have known that?
For whatever it's worth....Orangeville isn't too far from the York Region murders of the late 70's, and towns close by in early 80's and 90's, Caledon, Barrie, even Kincardine & Goderich. Time lapses of 30-40 years might only mean a late teenager to a middle age man, all possible.

 

[dotr]

$50,000 reward offered for clues in unsolved 2010 murder of nurse Sonia Varaschin

The remains of Varaschin, 42, were found in September, 2010, in wooded area about a 10-minute drive from her Orangeville apartment. Police said her killer likely left Varaschin’s apartment covered in blood and used her car to move her body.

www.thestar.com

 

[AddyFinch]

Maybe it's time to re run all those DNA samples collected, back into the system and see if anything new pops up.
Or keep the main lead investigator on case and flood it with new young keeners to give a fresh perspective. Are there any of the old team left or are they all retired by now??
Or run a fresh campaign in community to see if anyone remembers anything, or is now willing to speak up.

 

[whiterhino]

Even after watching clip and rereading, I still can't place all the facts quickly, but I do remember this murder and the rumours that flew thru their small community. She was dating online, could it have been someone from overseas that left country quickly. LE taking DNA samples from all sorts of people including staff at hospitals she worked at (can't believe anyone would offer that up). Or could it have been a sad angry parent of one of her patients, an angry co worker, or jilted lover.
I can't understand why LE says she was targeted but may not have known her attacker. Do they mean she had a stalker? And how would they have known that?
For whatever it's worth....Orangeville isn't too far from the York Region murders of the late 70's, and towns close by in early 80's and 90's, Caledon, Barrie, even Kincardine & Goderich. Time lapses of 30-40 years might only mean a late teenager to a middle age man, all possible.

RBBM: JMO for me it's that Sonia hadn't been living in Orangeville for very long and the location of her townhome is so tucked away that it seems one would have to know she was there. Sonia seems to have had a tight circle of people. In all this time, hardly anyone has come forward like a friend or coworker to say anything to suggest, such as Sonia ever mentioning any guy she rebuffed or a brief relationship prior to moving, things like that. At least afawk, aside from the boyfriend.

 

[AddyFinch]

Would love to read the boyfriend's interview sheet. How soon did he leave for UK after her murder?
Pretty messy murder seems to be very personal in nature, or Sonia put up a considerable fight.
Wonder if the boyfriend had any priors in UK or was under any suspicion for assault/murders over there?