CANADA Canada - Markham, Ont, WhtMale 1084UMON, 20-40, female clothes, Jul'80

[atomicsciencegal]

@Aragon , please, what is the information confirming this?

 

[dotr]

IDENTIFIED!!
William Joseph PENNELL, 26, from the City of Toronto.

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HUMAN REMAINS IDENTIFIED IN DECADES OLD COLD CASE

HUMAN REMAINS IDENTIFIED IN DECADES OLD COLD CASE

www.yrp.ca

Nov 1 2024
"Investigators with the York Regional Police Cold Case Unit have identified human remains more than 40 years after they were found and are appealing for any information that may help them solve the cold case.

On July 16, 1980, a Markham resident discovered human remains on the side of the Eleventh Concession, between 14th Avenue and Steeles Avenue. Initial forensic testing identified the remains as a white man, between 25 and 40 years old, 5’6”, weighing between 100 and 120 pounds, with dark, medium-length brown hair. Due to the state of decomposition, no identification could be made and he remained unidentified for 44 years.

In 2007, the remains were exhumed by Cold Case Unit investigators, for the purpose of attempting a facial reconstruction and to obtain DNA. The following year, a DNA profile was developed and uploaded to the national DNA database, however, there were no matches

In 2021, investigators turned to Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), which resulted in investigators identifying relatives of the deceased. On April 3, 2023, the deceased was identified as William Joseph PENNELL, 26, from the City of Toronto.

Investigators then began to build a profile of PENNELL. He spent time in several correctional institutions for a variety of criminal offences. On June 30, 1979, while on parole, PENNELL was arrested and charged with armed robbery and attempted murder. Due to his parole violation, he was immediately incarcerated at the Collins Bay Institution in the City of Kingston. PENNELL told his case officers that there were at least two other persons involved in the attempted robbery. He admitted to his role in the crime, but refused to implicate the other suspects involved, believing his life would be in danger.

In April 1980, PENNELL was convicted of the robbery. Two months later, on June 13, 1980, he escaped from prison. To date, no detailed records related to the escape have been found. PENNELL told a friend he intended to flee to South America in what is believed to be his last contact before his death.

A month following his escape, PENNELL’s remains were found in Markham on July 16, 1980. The cause of death was undetermined, however investigators believe foul play was involved.

The investigation is ongoing as Cold Case Unit investigators work to identify additional friends and associates to build a timeline between PENNELL’s escape and when his body was found. They are hoping the public’s assistance can help solve this decades-old case.

Further details of this case will be featured in ‘Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files’ airing on Friday, November 15, 2024.''

 

[dotr]

rbbm

Toronto man identified in cold case spanning more than 40 years

In 2007, the remains were exhumed by cold case investigators in an attempt to conduct a facial reconstruction and obtain DNA.

toronto.citynews.ca

''Victim had criminal history and escaped from prison in 1980​

Investigators were able to determine that Pennell had spent time in numerous correctional institutions for various crimes.

YRP said on June 30, 1979, while on parole, Pennell was arrested and charged with armed robbery and attempted murder, leading to his incarceration in Kingston, Ont.''

''While in prison, it’s alleged Pennell told officers that there were at least two other people involved in the attempted robbery. Authorities said that the Toronto man wouldn’t reveal the identities of the suspects, fearing for his life.''
''YRP said they’re actively investigating the cold case in hopes of speaking to associates or friends of Pennell while establishing a timeline from his prison escape to when his body was discovered.''

Remains found in Markham in 1980 finally ID'd as escaped prisoner

William Joseph Pennell was a low-renter in the criminal milieu.

torontosun.com

''Further details of this case will be featured in ‘Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files’ airing on Nov. 15.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.''

 

[victoriarobinson642]

So the PMI was only about a month, if I'm reading that right? Interesting that it was so far off. Edit: I wonder if he was wearing women's clothing as a means to disguise himself from his pursuers.

 

[dotr]

rbbm.

After 44 years, Markham Doe (1980) is now Identified

York Regional Police Teams with Othram to Identify a 1980 John Doe

dnasolves.com

.

''With previous failed attempts to develop a comprehensive DNA profile using advanced DNA testing, York Regional Police teamed with Othram in June 2022. Forensic evidence was sent to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a suitable DNA extract for Markham Doe and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the individual.''

''The leads enabled a follow-up investigation, which led to possible relatives of Markham Doe. Using these new leads, Markham Doe was identified as 26-year-old William Joseph Pennell of Toronto, Ontario.''

''While Pennell's cause of death could not be determined, detectives believe foul play was involved. The investigation is ongoing as cold case investigators work to identify additional friends and associates to build a timeline between Pennell’s escape from prison and July 1980. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

The identification of William Joseph Pennell represents the 11th case in the Province of Ontario where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To learn more about other Ontario cases, visit DNASolves.''

 

[HmmMysterious]

I noticed that William's Doe Network page said he had a slim build and was "light boned" and yet he was very muscular in one of the photographs. Seems like that was off along with the PMI.

 

[musicaljoke]

So the PMI was only about a month, if I'm reading that right? Interesting that it was so far off. Edit: I wonder if he was wearing women's clothing as a means to disguise himself from his pursuers.

You could be right. I wonder if he escaped from prison and went to the home of a woman who provided clothing. He wasn't a very big guy, so he might fit the clothing of an average woman.

 

[BlueJayBirdie]

I noticed that William's Doe Network page said he had a slim build and was "light boned" and yet he was very muscular in one of the photographs. Seems like that was off along with the PMI.

I thought the same thing

 

[musicaljoke]

I noticed that William's Doe Network page said he had a slim build and was "light boned" and yet he was very muscular in one of the photographs. Seems like that was off along with the PMI.

The buff photo might have been taken at an earlier time in his life, especially as it seems his life had gone off the rails.

 

[Blurgle]

According to some reports the women's clothing was near but not on the body. Did they dump the clothing with him to confuse the matter, or was that clothing coincidentally already there when they dumped his body?

I do not remember glittery red heels being popular in the early 80s, except as accessories to a Wizard of Oz Halloween costume.

 

[BlueJayBirdie]

According to some reports the women's clothing was near but not on the body. Did they dump the clothing with him to confuse the matter, or was that clothing coincidentally already there when they dumped his body?

I do not remember glittery red heels being popular in the early 80s, except as accessories to a Wizard of Oz Halloween costume.

If the clothing didn't belong to Pennell, wonder if they belonged to another victim? possibly someone connected to Pennell's time on the run

 

[musicaljoke]

If the clothing didn't belong to Pennell, wonder if they belonged to another victim? possibly someone connected to Pennell's time on the run

There is no mention of any other clothing on the body. I suspect that the clothing was on, or close enough to the body that it had likely been worn by the victim. The remains were skeletal, so it might no longer have looked like a dressed body. There may have been some scattering of bones and clothing.

 

[BlueJayBirdie]

Remains found in Markham in 1980 finally ID'd as escaped prisoner

According to the Toronto Sun, the 1979 robbery was of a "Brampton Becker's store"

 

[dotr]

Nov 4 2024 rbbm.

Human remains in 44-year-old cold case identified as escaped inmate

York Regional Police investigators are appealing to friends and associates to come forward as they work to solve the decades-old case

www.bradfordtoday.ca

''Cold case unit investigators are working on identifying additional friends and associates to build a timeline between Pennell’s escape and when his body was found. They are hoping the public’s assistance can help solve this decades-old case.

Further details of this case will be featured in Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files Podcast Series airing on Friday, Nov. 15.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.''

 

[dotr]

By Fil Martino Posted November 15, 2024

Death of Toronto man who escaped from prison 40-plus years ago subject of Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files

Remains discovered in 1980 were identified in 2023 as belonging to William Pennell who had escaped from a correctional facility in Kingston.

toronto.citynews.ca

'York Regional Police Detective Jonathan Nauman with the Cold Case Unit says William was convicted of an armed robbery in April of 1980 and then on Friday June 13th, 1980, he escaped from Collins Bay Institution.

“The records are pretty thin, but it is suspected he had hidden in an institution vehicle. William’s family was re-contacted by police as they began to look for William and see if he had come back home. He hadn’t and they never heard from William again,” said Det. Nauman.''

''Cold Case Unit investigators are working to identify additional friends and associates in an effort to build a timeline between Pennell’s escape and when his body was found.''

Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files - Frequency Podcast Network

CityNews reporters, Fil Martino and Madison Fitzpatrick hate the thought of cold cases gathering dust in police departments across the country. Together they’ve teamed up to take a closer look at the cases that refuse to crack, in an effort to track down Canada’s most violent perpetrators. Hear...

frequencypodcastnetwork.com

 

[dotr]

Lengthy article, rbbm
By Phil Tsekouras November 16, 2024

Cold case that puzzled Toronto-area police for nearly half a century cracked. Here’s how they did it

For nearly 45 years, the identity of the human remains found along a rural road north of Toronto remained a mystery. It was on July 16, 1980, when a Markham, Ont. resident made the discovery near a wooded area on Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues. Unbeknownst to them, the...

www.cp24.com

'Investigators then turned to IGG in 2021 and contacted Othram in The Woodlands, Texas in 2022 for help with the case.

“Othram received skeletal evidence, and the first thing that we need to do is we need to extract DNA from bone. And so we did that,” the company’s chief of staff, Colby Lasyone, told CTV News Toronto in an interview earlier this week.

Lasyone said the team then worked to develop a new DNA profile that York Regional Police used to upload into a database and cross reference with profiles on certain family tree websites before eventually finding a match.''

“Police services all over Canada have been reviewing those old, so-called cold cases to see if the technology has developed to the point now that we can use it…and a lot of old, previously unsolved cases are being looked after because of the science.”