CANADA Canada - Serial animal killer on the loose in London Ontario? - Dec. 2016

[MissingMile]

I was shocked to see reference to this when I was creeping a different thread, and while I doubt it will add to the investigation in any way I do have something to add;

When I was living in North London in 2015, I was at the corner of Adelaide North and Fanshawe. There is a path area behind a set of apartment buildings at this corner, paved and frequently used by the building tenants for running/walking dogs/ etc. The path exited at the main sidewalk on Fanshawe. While walking by this I saw one of these animal mutilations. It had been a squirrel, posed, with some areas skinned and others stripped to the bone. I won't go into details as it was extremely upsetting. I fled quickly in absolute horror and retrieved a friend to come back with me to find it. In that time it had been removed.

I had no idea there had been others, but I will say my instinct at that time, based on the location of the squirrel and how meticulously it had been mutilated, was that whoever had done such a thing was definitely watching me when I found the animal. Of course this is just gut instinct and I have no proof they were actually there. I moved soon after.

 

[Snoopster]

I was shocked to see reference to this when I was creeping a different thread, and while I doubt it will add to the investigation in any way I do have something to add;

When I was living in North London in 2015, I was at the corner of Adelaide North and Fanshawe. There is a path area behind a set of apartment buildings at this corner, paved and frequently used by the building tenants for running/walking dogs/ etc. The path exited at the main sidewalk on Fanshawe. While walking by this I saw one of these animal mutilations. It had been a squirrel, posed, with some areas skinned and others stripped to the bone. I won't go into details as it was extremely upsetting. I fled quickly in absolute horror and retrieved a friend to come back with me to find it. In that time it had been removed.

I had no idea there had been others, but I will say my instinct at that time, based on the location of the squirrel and how meticulously it had been mutilated, was that whoever had done such a thing was definitely watching me when I found the animal. Of course this is just gut instinct and I have no proof they were actually there. I moved soon after.

Actually I think you should report it. At a minimum report it to Dr. Arntfield. It documents another location; at a specific time. What month of the year did this happen?

 

[MissingMile]

Actually I think you should report it. At a minimum report it to Dr. Arntfield. It documents another location; at a specific time. What month of the year did this happen?

Snoopster;

Thank you for your advice, this happened in the summer of that year, June or July. I'll get the info to Dr. Arntfield, I hope it helps the investigation.

 

[dotr]

Noting..
Brampton investigating report of goat heads, mutilated birds being dumped in Credit River
May 2, 2020
''Brampton council has directed the city’s bylaw department to investigate and report back on reports of several severed goat heads and bound, mutilated birds and chickens being discovered washed up on the shores of the Credit River in Brampton.''

 

[dotr]

Police issue warning after cats found dead in Vaughan park on 2 occasions
''York Regional Police have issued a warning to pet owners after cats were found dead in the same Vaughan park on two occasions.''

“In each of the cases, the cats were found to have been killed as a result of injuries that investigators do not believe had been accidental or a result of a predatory animal,” police said in a news release.''

 

[dotr]

Police investigation continues after 'disfigured' dead cats found in Woodbridge park
June 16 2020 rbbm.
“Our investigators are looking at all of these incidents but what they're seeing that is common throughout is that each of the cats appears to have been disfigured, and that their injuries don't look to be consistent with that of a fox or a coyote,” he said.''

''It's very concerning and not just for animals because we've all heard the stories of how animal abuse can be a precursor to something more sinister later on in life,” he said.

In 2016, officials were looking for a serial animal killer in London, Ont., after at least eight incidents involving 17 mutilated dead animals were found over the course of a year.


The animals were often disfigured in a way and posed, including a skinned and beheaded bunny found on the Western University campus; a mutilated cat found in a park; six dead coyotes - two of them headless and skinned - placed in poses in three different locations; and several dead snakes left in a strange pose.''

 

[Snoopster]

Police investigation continues after 'disfigured' dead cats found in Woodbridge park
June 16 2020 rbbm.
“Our investigators are looking at all of these incidents but what they're seeing that is common throughout is that each of the cats appears to have been disfigured, and that their injuries don't look to be consistent with that of a fox or a coyote,” he said.''

''It's very concerning and not just for animals because we've all heard the stories of how animal abuse can be a precursor to something more sinister later on in life,” he said.

In 2016, officials were looking for a serial animal killer in London, Ont., after at least eight incidents involving 17 mutilated dead animals were found over the course of a year.


The animals were often disfigured in a way and posed, including a skinned and beheaded bound in a park; six dead coyotes - two of them headless and skinned - placed in poses in three different locations; and several dead snakes left in a strange pose.''

Thanks dotr. But I do want to make clear to others who aren't familiar with the geography, that this is not close to the London 'events'. (approximately 200km/125 miles) Having said that, there is nothing to say that there is a possibility that the London animal torturer isn't in NW Toronto region now. I'd actually like to believe it is the same person, as then it wouldn't mean there are two!

 

[whiterhino]

I would also prefer to think it's one person.

How long would someone engage in this kind of behavior before they moved on to something else? Many of these cases happened 5 years ago. If animal cruelty is preparation for something bigger, how long does one prepare for?

So many serial killers start out abusing animals in their youth. Then again, look at Luka Magnotta. He was well beyond his youth when the cat/snake videos surfaced.

Just leaving these links here as they involve trapping and relocating. Also of note, when digging around I found a number of reports (out west) of snakes on the loose, boas/pythons going missing etc. Not local to Ontario but noteworthy Imo.

2 teens charged in connection with cat abuse video shared on Snapchat - BC | Globalnews.ca

Suspected Vancouver Island cat trapper strikes again - Nanaimo News Bulletin

There's also this post (#103) in the thread for Jordan Holling who went missing from Vancouver Island in 2017: Canada - Jordan Holling, 17, Campbell River, BC, 16 Oct 2017

 

[Snoopster]

I would also prefer to think it's one person.

How long would someone engage in this kind of behavior before they moved on to something else? Many of these cases happened 5 years ago. If animal cruelty is preparation for something bigger, how long does one prepare for?

So many serial killers start out abusing animals in their youth. Then again, look at Luka Magnotta. He was well beyond his youth when the cat/snake videos surfaced.

Just leaving these links here as they involve trapping and relocating. Also of note, when digging around I found a number of reports (out west) of snakes on the loose, boas/pythons going missing etc. Not local to Ontario but noteworthy Imo.

2 teens charged in connection with cat abuse video shared on Snapchat - BC | Globalnews.ca

Suspected Vancouver Island cat trapper strikes again - Nanaimo News Bulletin

There's also this post (#103) in the thread for Jordan Holling who went missing from Vancouver Island in 2017: Canada - Jordan Holling, 17, Campbell River, BC, 16 Oct 2017

Of course I'm glad that the animal killings stopped in London area, but where did that person go??
You are absolutely right that we have to find a way to keep tabs on these animal killers.

 

[whiterhino]

Of course I'm glad that the animal killings stopped in London area, but where did that person go??
You are absolutely right that we have to find a way to keep tabs on these animal killers.

I don't believe I posted that we need to keep tabs on anyone. In an ideal world tho

In the end, they out themselves by escalating their own behavior. Unfortunately it comes at a cost until we find better ways of predicting this kind of thing.

Maybe this is responsible for some of it?! Seriously. According to Google image searches, he likes to fish by the river. He's also originally from Strathroy (ruralish area), then took an apartment downtown (Dundas & Talbot area for those curious/mapping).

"Nathaniel Veltman, 20, faces four first-degree murder charges, one attempted murder charge and associated terrorism charges."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-attack-accused-in-court-june-21-1.607339

 

[dotr]

Noting..
CityNews
Dec 29, 2021
''Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Caledon are investigating after an alligator and five large exotic snakes were found dead in a ditch on Boxing Day.

In a tweet, the OPP said a passerby noticed the reptiles in a ditch at Escarpment Side Road and Horseshoe Hill Road in Caledon and alerted police.

No further details were immediately available.''

FWIW..
Caledon to london ontario - Google Search

1 hr 56 min (188.3 km) via ON-401

 

[whiterhino]

Noting..
CityNews
Dec 29, 2021
''Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Caledon are investigating after an alligator and five large exotic snakes were found dead in a ditch on Boxing Day.

In a tweet, the OPP said a passerby noticed the reptiles in a ditch at Escarpment Side Road and Horseshoe Hill Road in Caledon and alerted police.

No further details were immediately available.''

FWIW..
Caledon to london ontario - Google Search

1 hr 56 min (188.3 km) via ON-401

This story was covered by the Miami Herald

"It’s not a creature Canadians are used to dealing with, because American alligators aren’t good with extreme cold. They seldom survive north of the North Carolina coast and west of Texas, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That means the gator was roughly 800 miles north of its known range. "

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article256940417.html

So many questions

I don't think this is the same person who was posing animals in London. Might not even be the same person who left the coyotes in the ditch or the dogs that were found shot in the ditch. Jmo.

FWIW noting Sonia Varaschins' body was found very close to this location!

 

[Wondergirl]

This story was covered by the Miami Herald

"It’s not a creature Canadians are used to dealing with, because American alligators aren’t good with extreme cold. They seldom survive north of the North Carolina coast and west of Texas, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That means the gator was roughly 800 miles north of its known range. "

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article256940417.html

So many questions

I don't think this is the same person who was posing animals in London. Might not even be the same person who left the coyotes in the ditch or the dogs that were found shot in the ditch. Jmo.

FWIW noting Sonia Varaschins' body was found very close to this location!

Whatttt...how close to SV's body were these exotic animals found?? Thank-you for posting.

 

[whiterhino]

Whatttt...how close to SV's body were these exotic animals found?? Thank-you for posting.

If you Google something like "500 Beech Grove Side Road, Alton & 4411 Escarpment Side Road, Caledon" it's about a 20 minute drive. Not that close but also close enough to stand out Imo.

 

[Wondergirl]

I don't think these exotic animals being callously disposed have anything to do with the animal killer(s).

I DO think they could be related to Sonia Varaschin's murder though!

Talk about close proximity.

Here is the map of both locations.

WOW

Thank-you, Dotr and Whiterhino.

 

[Wondergirl]

If you Google something like "500 Beech Grove Side Road, Alton & 4411 Escarpment Side Road, Caledon" it's about a 20 minute drive. Not that close but also close enough to stand out Imo.

Thanks, WR.

I just posted a map.

I used the map ruler - 4KM (2.5 miles) from SV recovery location to Exotic Animal recovery location as the crow flies.

Each stretch of the 4 sides of geography are apx 3KM (1.8 miles).

This is NOT far at all - not in rural Ontario! People would walk and certainly drive this easily and in 5 minutes or less. Also via ATV etc.

I HOPE LE reviews the exotic pet store purchases, for that number of snakes, somebody has stopped purchasing, and an alligator....well...people know about this!

 

[whiterhino]

I don't think these exotic animals being callously disposed have anything to do with the animal killer(s).

I DO think they could be related to Sonia Varaschin's murder though!

Talk about close proximity.

Here is the map of both locations.

WOW

Thank-you, Dotr and Whiterhino.

I'm really not sure what to make of this story TBH. I have some wild theories of my own but will spare the thread

Can't help but wonder though, how large was the alligator, the snakes and what kinds were they? Hard to imagine a pet owners 5 snakes and alligator all die suddenly, accidentally. Would a pet owner just dump their snakes on the road side? How does one keep something like an alligator for any length of time? Also, how far/long would someone drive around for with something like that in their vehicle?

For safety reasons, I don't think we should discuss a possible connection between SV and this latest finding. Imo, not convinced they're related.

You're right though, it IS very close! On my map, I used those addresses I gave and got 18 minute drive. Idk. Either way, it's close enough to be odd Imo.

I thought there was a map somewhere, plotting the different locations of animals that had been found? It would be a good idea to plot everything out except I'm no good at that kind of thing.

 

[Wondergirl]

I'm really not sure what to make of this story TBH. I have some wild theories of my own but will spare the thread

Can't help but wonder though, how large was the alligator, the snakes and what kinds were they? Hard to imagine a pet owners 5 snakes and alligator all die suddenly, accidentally. Would a pet owner just dump their snakes on the road side? How does one keep something like an alligator for any length of time? Also, how far/long would someone drive around for with something like that in their vehicle?

For safety reasons, I don't think we should discuss a possible connection between SV and this latest finding. Imo, not convinced they're related.

You're right though, it IS very close! On my map, I used those addresses I gave and got 18 minute drive. Idk. Either way, it's close enough to be odd Imo.

I thought there was a map somewhere, plotting the different locations of animals that had been found? It would be a good idea to plot everything out except I'm no good at that kind of thing.

Just my thoughts -

Owner got sick of all the care/expense required to feed the exotic animals - disposed of them.

They would not have driven far, I don't think.

They needed to dump the animals somewhere that was rural with nobody around, and they knew that from previous experience going there - and/or live near there.

Where did the addresses come from? I used the known intersections for both cases provided in MSM to map this out.

What do you mean by safety?

I have posted this info on SV's thread, so, no need to continue here, unless you wish.

To me, the acts of depravity against the animals previously discussed on this thread, are *not* the same as this callous act of disposing of no longer wanted dead reptiles. Unless of course there is information LE is not releasing with the alligator/snake scenario.

 

[whiterhino]

Where did the addresses come from? I used the known intersections for both cases provided in MSM to map this out.

What do you mean by safety?

I have posted this info on SV's thread, so, no need to continue here, unless you wish.

To me, the acts of depravity against the animals previously discussed on this thread, are *not* the same as this callous act of disposing of no longer wanted dead reptiles. Unless of course there is information LE is not releasing with the alligator/snake scenario.

RSBM

I put in 4411 because there's a B&B on Escarpment Road near the intersection provided in the link (just as a landmark not the actual location). Not sure where the "500 Beech Grove" came from though? Explains why my result was different lol.

I just meant to not go against TOS because I didn't want to cross the line of speculation. That was all.

It's hard to say which animal cases might be related or done by the same perpetrators but I agree this current "set" is likely unrelated. However there have been a number of coyotes and dogs that were dumped in ditches in rural surrounding areas.

Honestly, the kicker is reading *alligator*. That's a twist lol.

The more I think on it, the number of cases involving animal cruelty, exotic pets, animals being improperly disposed of, mutilated... These cases really should not be overlooked or forgotten. It's hard to believe that whoever did those things was just letting off steam and is "ok" now.

 

[Snoopster]

So, if i'm following these latest posts...this original thread has NOTHING to do with Sonia's murder. Animals killed in London Ontario have nothing to do with Sonia V's murder. Let's post any animal deaths that are closer to Sonia in HER thread.
We shouldn't mess up her investigation. I still can't believe that her murder hasn't been solved. But I admit that this isn't the thread where it should be discussed.