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?

 

[Flamingomom]

Why would anyone want to kill someone who seems like a nice, harmless lady? Was it revenge? Did she do something to someone without knowing, unintentionally? Was someone unstable in her circle of friends or acquaintances who felt slighted by a rejection, offended so badly that they would want her dead?
Who would benefit from her death? Was she about to get a promotion someone wanted? Was she set to inherit something someone wanted? Did she have something in her home, jewellery, art, money? Was she dating a married man, a recently divorced man, someone another woman wanted? Who needed her eliminated?
I believe police have suggested the killer was young, possibly used drugs, etc. Is it possible it was someone that was hired, a professional who made it look that way? How did they evade police? Why aren’t they caught? How and why has someone been able to kill this woman in this day and age and get away with it, where we have so much technology, police services at several levels, even FBI assistance?

 

[AddyFinch]

OMG.. this is painstakingly long, but I've started from beginning of her disappearance. All of the news articles posted are no longer, so I'm reading each and every posters comments. Why?? Reason for another day.......
So far, I have questions that someone might remember the answers to
-did LE state who's clothes they found?
-was she sexually assaulted?
-how well did they vet those neighbours?
-how closely did they investigate POF?
-if parents were concerned re her safety, why didn't they go to her house rather than involving police? They live very close. And why were they concerned re her safety?
Rather disturbing that this person hasn't been caught after all this time and so many crime scenes. And if he is a serial, then surely he must have committed another, dead, or incarcerated?? Do they stay in contact with US LE?????

 

[AddyFinch]

Assuming Mr James Randall was still incarcerated in 2010?
Jennifer Zumach murder

 

[dotr]

Assuming Mr James Randall was still incarcerated in 2010?
Jennifer Zumach murder

https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/17565/1/fleeingintroduction.pdf

''On September 6, 2000, police pulled over a motorcycle driven by 31-yearold James Vernon Randall for a routine traffic check. In a box securely fastenedto the back of his motorcycle, they found the decomposed head of JenniferZumach, Randall’s common-law wife. Zumach disappeared shortly after givingbirth to a son from Randall, and was last seen on January 15, 1999. Randall wasthe one who had reported her as missing almost two years before the discovery ofher severed head (Toronto Star, September 9, 2000: A3). Police are now reinvestigating the 1992 suicide of Randall’s first wife Karen Randall. AlthoughKaren had left a handwritten suicide note, people who knew her always felt thatthere was something incomprehensible about her alleged suicide (Toronto Star,September 12, 2000: A4).''

 

[AddyFinch]

That was an interesting case. I finally found his sentence..... life, so unless a miracle happened, he was in prison when Sonia was murdered. Will be out soon.

 

[AddyFinch]

So have ploughed thru it all, and probably forgot half.
-why were they fixated on the MWW boots? Heck, I have four old prs of hikers/boots from Wind River etc and none of them denote my profession.
-was her boyfriend of 1.5 years a steady or BFF or friend? Who was the guy that went back to UK? Or was he a rumour?
-did she date around or exclusive to the "boyfriend" listed? Re-examine her computer for IP addresses.
-was 'SlRHC interviewed re her changing of doctors orders, disputes, work record? Was her Union ONA involved? Did her infractions involve hospital saying "resign or we will notify College of Nurses re your errors"? Who were her disputes with? Nurses, doctors, lab techs? I hardly think colleague disputes would lead to murder. Why did SLRHC tell news they didn't know if any male staff had been requested to volunteer DNA samples?
-Why did she leave Skids? Same issues as SLRHC? Or did she want work closer to home?
-I think Dreamwatcher has hit it correct in post #711 page 36 thread 2
Going forward, fine for us all to criticize LE efforts ( and I agree sloppy police work), but the fact is, some kook is out there and able to recommit. I would tail and then reinterview the characters renting that house on her street. Too late to scour the house for more dna (just like the demolition of the Sherman house tsk tsk!), but her car needs another going over, and fresh faces need to tackle this case one last time.
-Kudos to the Caledon body map. I did one similar, and the proximity to York Region, Huron, Simcoe Counties is scary. More than one serial killer since the early 70's I would say. Same with London areas.

 

[whiterhino]

So have ploughed thru it all, and probably forgot half.
-why were they fixated on the MWW boots? Heck, I have four old prs of hikers/boots from Wind River etc and none of them denote my profession.
-was her boyfriend of 1.5 years a steady or BFF or friend? Who was the guy that went back to UK? Or was he a rumour?
-did she date around or exclusive to the "boyfriend" listed? Re-examine her computer for IP addresses.
-was 'SlRHC interviewed re her changing of doctors orders, disputes, work record? Was her Union ONA involved? Did her infractions involve hospital saying "resign or we will notify College of Nurses re your errors"? Who were her disputes with? Nurses, doctors, lab techs? I hardly think colleague disputes would lead to murder. Why did SLRHC tell news they didn't know if any male staff had been requested to volunteer DNA samples?
-Why did she leave Skids? Same issues as SLRHC? Or did she want work closer to home?
-I think Dreamwatcher has hit it correct in post #711 page 36 thread 2
Going forward, fine for us all to criticize LE efforts ( and I agree sloppy police work), but the fact is, some kook is out there and able to recommit. I would tail and then reinterview the characters renting that house on her street. Too late to scour the house for more dna (just like the demolition of the Sherman house tsk tsk!), but her car needs another going over, and fresh faces need to tackle this case one last time.
-Kudos to the Caledon body map. I did one similar, and the proximity to York Region, Huron, Simcoe Counties is scary. More than one serial killer since the early 70's I would say. Same with London areas.

The boot print was bloody. The bf and Sonia had broken up around that time and he was ruled out IIRC. From what I've read Sonia was online dating but that didn't result in any persons of interest.

Imo the killer brought the weapon with them which indicates premeditation. My only "criticism" of LE would be whatever happened with the DNA they mentioned.

I think Sonia was stalked and wonder if her killer ever initiated contact with her. Why drive the car back to Orangeville? Why kill her at all?