CANADA Canada - Margaret McWilliam, 21, Toronto, 27 Aug 1987 'Cinderella Murder'

[Gina20]

Some questions:

How old was David Fuller in 2010 when Sonia Varaschin was murdered? What size is the running shoe print? (noting the size of the print in SVs' case is a 10-11) What a coincidence that the 3 women worked in healthcare and were also outdoorsy. Was Sonia also a cyclist?

Yes, Sonia was a cyclist.

Investigators still working to crack Sonia Varaschin murder a decade later

 

[SaintGertrude]

Yes, Sonia was a cyclist.

Investigators still working to crack Sonia Varaschin murder a decade later

She was a pediatric nurse that had just made a change in her career to work with a pharmaceutical company. Over the years her family has noted her love of hiking, skiing, and biking, and they say before she was murdered she seemed happy.

So very much like the other victim Margaret McWilliam who enjoyed both cycling and hiking. Could there be some kind of connection here.
Also note that Sonia worked as a pediatric nurse so did she have contact with someone maybe in her field of work or hobby interest. A pen pal in another country maybe? Did both women have a pen friend
I remember the 1980's was a time when people bought those hobby kind of magazines and often wrote to strangers. (I think mine was subscribing to Wild about cats magazine and writing to randoms) Just putting it out there.

 

[Gina20]

Some questions:

How old was David Fuller in 2010 when Sonia Varaschin was murdered? What size is the running shoe print? (noting the size of the print in SVs' case is a 10-11) What a coincidence that the 3 women worked in healthcare and were also outdoorsy. Was Sonia also a cyclist?

Yes, Sonia was a cyclist.

Investigators still working to crack Sonia Varaschin murder a decade later

She was a pediatric nurse that had just made a change in her career to work with a pharmaceutical company. Over the years her family has noted her love of hiking, skiing, and biking, and they say before she was murdered she seemed happy.

So very much like the other victim Margaret McWilliam who enjoyed both cycling and hiking. I there some kind of connection here. Also note that Sonia worked as a pediatric nurse so did she have contact with someone maybe in her field of work. A pen pal in another country maybe? Did both women have a pen friend as I remember the 1980's was a time when people bought those hobby kind of magazines and often wrote to strangers. (I think mine was Wild about cats magazine and writing to randoms) Just putting it out there.

Sonia had been on a dating website. Did David Fuller use dating apps?

Both of these murders involved footprints left at the scene. Both murders occurred at the end of August.

 

[SaintGertrude]

Some questions:

How old was David Fuller in 2010 when Sonia Varaschin was murdered? What size is the running shoe print? (noting the size of the print in SVs' case is a 10-11) What a coincidence that the 3 women worked in healthcare and were also outdoorsy. Was Sonia also a cyclist?

These are the work boots police were trying to trace
CityNews
Quote: A pair of men’s work boots may be the key to solving the murder of 42-year-old Sonia Varaschin.

I think if we are going to consider Fuller we need to look at the size of his feet and what boots he may have worn working at Tunbridge Wells hospital. Also was DNA collected at the scene of Sonia's murder.

If we are going to consider that Sonia and Margaret were perhaps killed by one person rather than two different people we need to compare the two footprints but would police have not already done that. I think they would have done wouldn't they. .

 

[Gina20]

I doubt that Canadian police would have compared boot prints with shoe prints left at a crime scene overseas.

There is another footnote to this, but probably not relevant. The AAU running shoe print found at the scene of Margaret McWilliam's murder was sold by Bata Shoes. Bata manufactured shoes in South Africa. Fuller had lived in South Africa as as child.

Would a serial murderer leave different distinctive shoe prints as a signature at crime scenes? "Catch me if you can?"

 

[SaintGertrude]

I doubt that Canadian police would have compared boot prints with shoe prints left at a crime scene overseas.

There is another footnote to this, but probably not relevant. The AAU running shoe print found at the scene of Margaret McWilliam's murder was sold by Bata Shoes. Bata manufactured shoes in South Africa. Fuller had lived in South Africa as as child.

Would a serial murderer leave different distinctive shoe prints as a signature at crime scenes? "Catch me if you can?"

Would a serial murder leave distinctive shoe prints at the scene of the TW bedsit murders and get away with two murders, the abuse of 100 corpses and possible other unsolved murders from 1987 until now. "Catch me if you can?"

Smiling face of the monster behind the notorious 1987 Bedsit Murders
Quote: 'The bloody footprint left on the cuff of Wendy's blouse came from a Clarks Sportstrek trainer with a distinctive sole, the same footwear Fuller was wearing in family photos from around the 1980s found at his house.
In one, Fuller reclines on the ground, the soles of his shoes towards the camera'.

 

[Gina20]

I don't know if a "clever" killer would leave clues like, "Hey, these sneakers were made in South Africa, where I lived once," or, "Hey, I'm an electrician, so that's why I wore these work boots." So clever, no one gets it.

 

[Gina20]

Fuller has a genealogy interest with someone buried at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Toronto, Ontario, Canada if that is of any relevance to this case. If he was visiting Canada this is a place of interest to him. As someone said the only way he can be ruled out really is for police to check the DNA.

So if David Fuller's interest in genealogy and old graves brought him to Canada, would any family members be buried in the Brantford-Ancaster area?

CANADA - Canada - Audrey Gleave, 73, Ancaster ON, 30 Dec 2010 #1

Hamilton police warn public after ‘horrific’ killing of woman

"On Friday, Hamilton police and OPP were searching Gleave’s property, which is surrounded by dense forest, with a cemetery on one side."

Dense forest and a cemetery, right up his alley. Audrey Gleave lived alone, and was murdered in her home. Thus is the cemetery beside her home:

Stenabaugh Cemetery in Ontario - Find A Grave Cemetery

 

[Gina20]

Now I'm comparing composite sketches from unsolved attacks on Ontario women more than a decade ago with David Fuller. One is similar, but was he in Canada then, if ever? Why did British police come here to investigate DF? There are so many of these unsolved cases where the police say the perp may have left the country. What if there is a serial attacker who visited and left, time and time again? David Fuller has an unexplained 21-year gap in his British crime timeline, from 1987 to 2008. Seems unlikely.

 

[SaintGertrude]

Now I'm comparing composite sketches from unsolved attacks on Ontario women more than a decade ago with David Fuller. One is similar, but was he in Canada then, if ever? Why did British police come here to investigate DF? There are so many of these unsolved cases where the police say the perp may have left the country. What if there is a serial attacker who visited and left, time and time again? David Fuller has an unexplained 21-year gap in his British crime timeline, from 1987 to 2008. Seems unlikely.

I have only really looked into Margaret McWilliam as I think it could be possible and another case in Kent, UK where a lady was murdered whilst picnicking at Bedgebury Forest. We have to remember that Fuller would probably have travelled with a female companion when he was touring as a "groupie" and paying thousands of pounds to follow a band everywhere. It is not so easy to get away with multiple murders when you have a travelling companion. I think one maybe but several would be a bit stretched. Happy to hear peoples ideas though as could sway me to change my mind.

 

[Gina20]

I have only really looked into Margaret McWilliam as I think it could be possible and another case in Kent, UK where a lady was murdered whilst picnicking at Bedgebury Forest. We have to remember that Fuller would probably have travelled with a female companion when he was touring as a "groupie" and paying thousands of pounds to follow a band everywhere. It is not so easy to get away with multiple murders when you have a travelling companion. I think one maybe but several would be a bit stretched. Happy to hear peoples ideas though as could sway me to change my mind.

The 21-year gap in his criminal history is big. Where did he go? He stole bicycles as a school boy, broke into homes, was a "creeper", committed two sexual murders and stopped completely for two decades?

Fuller was married three times. There would have been gaps as a single person, or times when he travelled alone, perhaps to summer air shows, or over the holiday season to meet up with long-lost overseas relatives, etc.

Not saying he is responsible for all unsolved murders of women and girls and unsolved sexual assaults in Ontario and beyond. Why did British police need to come here for their investigation? What couldn't they have done by phone or email?

I wouldn't even have considered this, except for the many times over the years when single women have been murdered, and police said that the killer never committed another crime (unlikely), died or left the country. It seems that they believe a foreign national could be responsible for some of these crimes.

I hadn't heard of David Fuller until you brought him up, SaintGertrude. I'm only interested in his DNA being compared to unsolved murders and assaults here. No need to convince anyone, other than the police. Surely this is worth their time after so many "left the country" explanations.

 

[SaintGertrude]

The 21-year gap in his criminal history is big. Where did he go? He stole bicycles as a school boy, broke into homes, was a "creeper", committed two sexual murders and stopped completely for two decades?

Fuller was married three times. There would have been gaps as a single person, or times when he travelled alone, perhaps to summer air shows, or over the holiday season to meet up with long-lost overseas relatives, etc.

Not saying he is responsible for all unsolved murders of women and girls and unsolved sexual assaults in Ontario and beyond. Why did British police need to come here for their investigation? What couldn't they have done by phone or email?

I wouldn't even have considered this, except for the many times over the years when single women have been murdered, and police said that the killer never committed another crime (unlikely), died or left the country. It seems that they believe a foreign national could be responsible for some of these crimes.

I hadn't heard of David Fuller until you brought him up, SaintGertrude. I'm only interested in his DNA being compared to unsolved murders and assaults here. No need to convince anyone, other than the police. Surely this is worth their time after so many "left the country" explanations.

The homicide police and a private professor researching the death of Margaret McWilliam have had all the information I sent since last week. No acknowledgement from either or reply to my simple question has Fuller's DNA been checked on the National database.
As I live in the UK not Canada I feel I have done all I can for now.

 

[whiterhino]

I think if we are going to consider Fuller we need to look at the size of his feet and what boots he may have worn working at Tunbridge Wells hospital. Also was DNA collected at the scene of Sonia's murder.

If we are going to consider that Sonia and Margaret were perhaps killed by one person rather than two different people we need to compare the two footprints but would police have not already done that. I think they would have done wouldn't they. .

RSBM

That's why I asked I hope that LE has looked into it already. They've had all kinds of time to investigate possibilities over the years between SV and MM cases.

Even if this Fuller guy isn't connected, there's a good chance he was up to something in those decades "off the map". After reading about Israel Keyes, anything is possible IMO.

According to the original post, Margarets' was a crime of opportunity. Sonia was killed inside her home and her body was moved and "concealed". There's 23 years between these 2 crimes. I'd think that if it were the same killer, he'd have gotten a bit better at hiding their crimes in that 23 year span (meaning they'd leave no trace with SV instead of DNA and LE locating the body).

I also very much doubt anyone is leaving their shoe prints to taunt LE. It's possible and probably been done but I don't think that's what is happening here.

It's amazing how much a criminal can leave behind and still not be caught. Yet, in other similar cases that same evidence can be what puts them away!

 

[SaintGertrude]

RSBM

That's why I asked I hope that LE has looked into it already. They've had all kinds of time to investigate possibilities over the years between SV and MM cases.

Even if this Fuller guy isn't connected, there's a good chance he was up to something in those decades "off the map". After reading about Israel Keyes, anything is possible IMO.

According to the original post, Margarets' was a crime of opportunity. Sonia was killed inside her home and her body was moved and "concealed". There's 23 years between these 2 crimes. I'd think that if it were the same killer, he'd have gotten a bit better at hiding their crimes in that 23 year span (meaning they'd leave no trace with SV instead of DNA and LE locating the body).

I also very much doubt anyone is leaving their shoe prints to taunt LE. It's possible and probably been done but I don't think that's what is happening here.

It's amazing how much a criminal can leave behind and still not be caught. Yet, in other similar cases that same evidence can be what puts them away!

Can I just check that homicide@torontopolice.on.ca is the correct email for homicide.
I am surprised that Canadian police do not respond with a reference number if someone contacts them with a theory and researched details to back this up.
Here in the UK the police works differently with a reference number and acknowledgement. I suppose each country does things a bit differently.

 

[dotr]

Can I just check that homicide@torontopolice.on.ca is the correct email for homicide.
I am surprised that Canadian police do not respond with a reference number if someone contacts them with a theory and researched details to back this up.
Here in the UK the police works differently with a reference number and acknowledgement. I suppose each country does things a bit differently.

Noting this recent very lengthy article, changes to come... rbbm.
Fall 2021
''Tens of thousands of people go missing in Canada every year. Retired Judge Gloria Epstein, BCom’72, wants to make sure they’re not forgotten.''
By: Robert Gerlsbeck
Speaking Up for the Missing | Smith Magazine
''Which country is doing a good job dealing with missing persons?
Without question, the United Kingdom. I thoroughly examined the U.K. system and came away impressed with a number of things. First and foremost, they take the report of a person’s disappearance very seriously. Second, the U.K. takes a holistic, collaborative approach to the issue. There, the missing are not just an issue for the police to deal with. Various agencies are involved—government, health, housing and social services, to name just a few. And the police approach the many challenging issues surrounding missing persons with creativity and considerable commitment of resources.

I learned a great deal from the missing and exploitation manager of the Thames Valley Police Force. She is an extraordinarily knowledgeable and experienced officer who has dedicated her career to the missing. As an example of some of her force’s initiatives, she described monthly meetings called STEM [strategic, exploitation and missing] in which the heads of social service agencies and police discuss trends they are seeing around the missing.

In the U.K., there is also significant civilian involvement in the investigation of missing person cases. One area where civilianization has had a considerable impact is in the area of risk assessment. Many U.K. police departments have trained risk assessors who work collaboratively and full time performing this key task. Another initiative that has met with great success involves police forces that have moved toward hiring civilians as missing person co-ordinators. In addition to overseeing investigations, these co-ordinators undertake such tasks as reviewing cases to identify patterns and communicating with loved ones of the missing.

What else is being done in the U.K. that we can learn from?
There is a missing persons charity called Missing People. Founded in 1993, the charity offers help for people who are missing or are at risk of going missing. It is significantly resourced and is therefore in a position to offer professional services to many who are dealing with the challenges of the missing, including the grief-stricken families and other loved ones of those who have disappeared. The charity also funds much-needed research on the many complex issues surrounding missing persons. Missing People is a successful charity. It assists the police. It also does valuable work that no one else, not even the police, are in a position to do.

Would Canada benefit from a similar type of non-profit?
Yes. One of my recommendations to the Toronto Police Services Board is that, together with the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the board should support the creation of a not-for-profit similar to the U.K.’s Missing People. Such an organization could help in several valuable ways. By way of example, it could provide a 24-hour, confidential support line for those who are missing and who don’t want to be found, yet who still want to remain in contact with someone. The person who is ‘missing’ may not want to turn to the police for this type of assistance for fear of being located.''

 

[SaintGertrude]

Is a noted criminologist named Mike Arntfield (Possibly Michael Andrew Arntfield on Wikipedia) still also involved with this case.
Another sleuth told me that he’s a former police officer and is now a professor. He is regularly called as an expert and notably has a cold-case team which includes students.

 

[dotr]

Nicoll Investigations
December 27, 2016 ·
Margaret McWilliam

Cold Case Files: Ontario family search for answers around daughter’s death | Watch News Videos Online

WATCH: Extended interviews with McWilliam family | Watch News Videos Online

Some people feel that the following person was involved in the murder of Margaret McWilliam:

James Marr was convicted in 1994 of the May 16, 1992 murder of Martha Watson McKinnon. Her body had been found behind an apartment against a fence. She had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted.

 

[Gina20]

Can I just check that homicide@torontopolice.on.ca is the correct email for homicide.
I am surprised that Canadian police do not respond with a reference number if someone contacts them with a theory and researched details to back this up.
Here in the UK the police works differently with a reference number and acknowledgement. I suppose each country does things a bit differently.

We've had a number of cases over the years where rapists and murderers seem to have taken advantage of going between police jurisdictions to apparently befuddle everyone and escape notice. Two infamous cases that come to mind are Paul Bernardo and Robert "Willy" Pickton. Lack of communication between various police forces and even a bit of "turf wars" seem to come into play, IMO. Laws were changed after the Bernardo case, but the Pickton case laid bare many flaws in the system when it comes to serial murderers, multiple jurisdictions and disadvantaged/disenfranchised victims.

I will believe Canadian police have compared Fuller's DNA to Canadian crimes when they say they have. Until then, it is my opinion that they haven't. Tunnel vision is always a consideration.

 

[jackal67]

I assume Kent Police in the UK have hold of Fuller’s passports to see if he travelled to North America and Canada in August 1987?

One of the questions in the UK is why was there a gap between his two murders in Tunbridge Wells in June & November 1987?

One of his colleagues at the Tunbridge Wells hospital stated she had seen Fuller on his own in the very secluded Pembury Woods at the rear of the hospital.

Another lady went missing in those woods in 1997 never to be seen again. Fuller started working for the NHS in 1989 at the Kent & Sussex Hospital and later Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Do you have the name of the lady who went missing in the woods in 1997? Not heard of that despite being local.

 

[Gina20]

RSBM

That's why I asked I hope that LE has looked into it already. They've had all kinds of time to investigate possibilities over the years between SV and MM cases.

Even if this Fuller guy isn't connected, there's a good chance he was up to something in those decades "off the map". After reading about Israel Keyes, anything is possible IMO.

According to the original post, Margarets' was a crime of opportunity. Sonia was killed inside her home and her body was moved and "concealed". There's 23 years between these 2 crimes. I'd think that if it were the same killer, he'd have gotten a bit better at hiding their crimes in that 23 year span (meaning they'd leave no trace with SV instead of DNA and LE locating the body).

I also very much doubt anyone is leaving their shoe prints to taunt LE. It's possible and probably been done but I don't think that's what is happening here.

It's amazing how much a criminal can leave behind and still not be caught. Yet, in other similar cases that same evidence can be what puts them away!

Serial murderers do have physical limitations over time with age. Although David Fuller was fit in his prime from bicycling and resistance training (published photos of both), he aged out at some point and turned to less strenuous, but still egregious, offences.

Sonia's killer, even if young, may have underestimated his own strength. The wooded location where he dumped her body was adequate enough. He had time to get away and tidy himself up. He has gotten away with murder so far. An out-of-practice serial murderer might make stupid mistakes.

I don't think that Sonia's killer left boot prints intentionally to taunt with a clue. This was very messy. But despite the supposed DNA on file with the police, no worries for him. He is Mr. Invisible.

Remember when I asked if Sonia had a bicycle in her garage, and if her killer had stolen it to get away?

Still thinking that when police tell the public a murderer may have left the country, they should be prepared to compare DNA with someone like Fuller. If it's worth the time and money for UK investigators to come over here, it's worth the time and money for Canadian police to compare his DNA and border control records of visits to our country.