CANADA Canada - Sonia Varaschin, 42, Orangeville, 29 Aug 2010 - #3

[Gina20]

I noticed in old news stories that Highway 10 at Beechgrove Sideroad seems to be a popular spot for police to catch speeders. Many people would be aware of this particular intersection for that reason.

@whiterhino: We know more about Audrey Gleave's murder than we do about Sonia's. I do not presume to know anything about the crime scene in Sonia's townhouse, other than reports of blood being found. That extends to DNA. Is there any, or was the mass testing a fishing expedition? It could be that crime scene DNA was contaminated by investigators, or that any DNA found was from Sonia's own circle of family and friends. The subject seems to have taken on less importance as time drags on.

Not only that but as the report states, leaving the car bloody and easy to locate. But why go back there?!

It's almost as if Sonia's killer was signalling or leading investigators to believe that he was travelling on foot, and lived in the area. In any case, it sure has put a wrench in the works, for a decade.

 

[whiterhino]

I noticed in old news stories that Highway 10 at Beechgrove Sideroad seems to be a popular spot for police to catch speeders. Many people would be aware of this particular intersection for that reason.

@whiterhino: We know more about Audrey Gleave's murder than we do about Sonia's. I do not presume to know anything about the crime scene in Sonia's townhouse, other than reports of blood being found. That extends to DNA. Is there any, or was the mass testing a fishing expedition? It could be that crime scene DNA was contaminated by investigators, or that any DNA found was from Sonia's own circle of family and friends. The subject seems to have taken on less importance as time drags on.

Not only that but as the report states, leaving the car bloody and easy to locate. But why go back there?!

It's almost as if Sonia's killer was signalling or leading investigators to believe that he was travelling on foot, and lived in the area. In any case, it sure has put a wrench in the works, for a decade.

It would make a lot of sense if the killer did live in the area. They could have walked over to the town home and been watching Sonia for who knows how long?

I was asking about the scene at Sonias home because there is blood on the front steps going up to the door. If you Google image search "21 Spring Street Orangeville Ontario" there are photos available. I don't want to link because it's graphic.

There's really no point to my question. I was just wondering how the blood got there because to me it would seem that if the person used an inside entrance to the garage, there should be no reason for there to be any blood outside at all. Again, points to how easily and carelessly the killer was able to be without the risk of anyone seeing.

I too have wondered about the DNA found. That's why I asked about Parabon because why wouldn't LE do this if they have DNA? Seems kind of silly not to try after 10 years. Jmho.

 

[2soccermom]

Great to see all the active sleuthing rejuvenating Sonia's thread. She deserves that.
It's hard for us with us so little info -- but at least we care to try....

My theory (fwiw) has always been that the perp drove his car and parked it within walking distance to Sonia's townhome. I'm not sure why that feels so certain for me; an equally valid theory is that he lived/stayed in close proximity and walked to her home. (In either scenario the general idea of where he returned her car fits, if not the specifics.) I am not sure I believe the crime was premeditated -- but I do think this perp is habituated to being careful (one example: he may regularly park at a distance as part of his regular routine -?) In fact, I have not been convinced by LE language framing a "risk-taker" and "reckless" behaviour. While the crime itself is obviously the action of a person wildly out of control/reason (hence if a crime of passion & not pre-med??) his actions after the fact make sinister sense to me. *IF* the perp was covered in blood (and how could he not be?) then either walking to where he had parked at a distance -- or, in alt theory, walking to his home in some proximity -- he would be risking heightened visibility by NOT traveling via the protection of a vehicle (for cover * getaway). He drove her vehicle and parked it perfectly aligned in the spot where it was located (at least, as photos seem to indicate). Does that seem like the work of someone not in control? Of someone high on drugs or otherwise altered?
The million-dollar question for most folks I think is: why did he remove her? It's an atypical action. THAT was risky. Was the chance of degrading evidence by delaying location a calculation of risk absorption? WAS it worth the risk?
I believe someone here or on the former UC floated the idea that perhaps the perp was driving Sonia's body to the boyfriend's house to drop her there (a frame-up) but didn't fully know the route or was unable to complete the task for time. That's very cold calculation (whether pre-planned or, as I believe, assessment on the fly).
I don't know, but:
there are three crime scenes, and a LOT of blood, at all reports, at one especially. If he was so reckless, so risky, so disorganized, then he has certainly been VERY lucky to elude detection so far.
I am worried this is someone who, while having evident propensity to catastrophically "snap" is otherwise eerily careful, and likely someone who has committed or will similar crimes. I hope not.

 

[2soccermom]

From whiterhino, above (great question!):
"What would the person be covering up? Not asking in a challenging way, just interested in what people think. I had a similar thought that the DNA had been planted but why would anyone use DNA from an unknown person" -- RBBM
I think it would make more sense to plant unknown DNA; that way, there's no chance to rule OUT that person (via alibi for example); DNA must be supported (not contradicted) by other evidence to solve a case. Unknown DNA helps create an ongoing limbo --
an open question mark.
But if I ascribe to the planting possibility here, does that require me to believe the murder was premeditated? I'm not sure about that. It just feels impossible to know.

 

[2soccermom]

My last post tonight, I promise
My own grave fear (as I have said a few times on site before; I really really hope I'm wrong!) is that there is no useable DNA --
that the LE announcement and collection was a bluff to smoke the killer out. Recently for the 10th year anniversary this worry went into overdrive with this statement (meant, I know, to reassure us on the DNA but in fact deconstructively materializing an opposite effect):
" 'We've taken advantage of some new DNA examinations,' Inspector Glassford explained. 'It's called STRmix. That is science in the DNA world that is able to take a mixture of DNA and isolates each person. They can separate in a way they can determine different DNA profiles. It's somewhat new. The technology has been around for a couple of years but it's something that in the last year or two we've taken advantage of.' " (at http://caledoncitizen.com and other sites)

Does this mean they have not been able to separate mixed DNA in past -- all these years????
I really really hope my worries are unfounded. Having the killer's DNA is critical these days for conviction (even if he eludes detection now).
Sigh.
Anyway -- I just keep repeating what I have said before. It's a relief to find other ideas and insights here. Sonia's family deserves justice. It's time for them to have it.

 

[whiterhino]

From whiterhino, above (great question!):
"What would the person be covering up? Not asking in a challenging way, just interested in what people think. I had a similar thought that the DNA had been planted but why would anyone use DNA from an unknown person" -- RBBM
I think it would make more sense to plant unknown DNA; that way, there's no chance to rule OUT that person (via alibi for example); DNA must be supported (not contradicted) by other evidence to solve a case. Unknown DNA helps create an ongoing limbo --
an open question mark.
But if I ascribe to the planting possibility here, does that require me to believe the murder was premeditated? I'm not sure about that. It just feels impossible to know.

There would be no other reason for the killer to bring unknown DNA with them let alone leave it behind if it weren't premeditated and for the purpose of misleading LE. Imo. If that made any sense? But no, there's no way to be sure if it was premeditated. I tend to think it was.

 

[whiterhino]

My last post tonight, I promise
My own grave fear (as I have said a few times on site before; I really really hope I'm wrong!) is that there is no useable DNA --
that the LE announcement and collection was a bluff to smoke the killer out. Recently for the 10th year anniversary this worry went into overdrive with this statement (meant, I know, to reassure us on the DNA but in fact deconstructively materializing an opposite effect):
" 'We've taken advantage of some new DNA examinations,' Inspector Glassford explained. 'It's called STRmix. That is science in the DNA world that is able to take a mixture of DNA and isolates each person. They can separate in a way they can determine different DNA profiles. It's somewhat new. The technology has been around for a couple of years but it's something that in the last year or two we've taken advantage of.' " (at http://caledoncitizen.com and other sites)

Does this mean they have not been able to separate mixed DNA in past -- all these years????
I really really hope my worries are unfounded. Having the killer's DNA is critical these days for conviction (even if he eludes detection now).
Sigh.
Anyway -- I just keep repeating what I have said before. It's a relief to find other ideas and insights here. Sonia's family deserves justice. It's time for them to have it.

I'm not even going to pretend to understand this but here's some info about mixed DNA samples (note the date?!):
Mixture Interpretation: Why is it Sometimes So Hard?

Truthfully reading that statement is upsetting and makes me want to ask "Wth is taking so long?" but maybe there are good reasons? If LE wanted to bluff, they could've said anything so I really hope it wasn't a bluff.

 

[whiterhino]

Great to see all the active sleuthing rejuvenating Sonia's thread. She deserves that.
It's hard for us with us so little info -- but at least we care to try....

My theory (fwiw) has always been that the perp drove his car and parked it within walking distance to Sonia's townhome. I'm not sure why that feels so certain for me; an equally valid theory is that he lived/stayed in close proximity and walked to her home. (In either scenario the general idea of where he returned her car fits, if not the specifics.) I am not sure I believe the crime was premeditated -- but I do think this perp is habituated to being careful (one example: he may regularly park at a distance as part of his regular routine -?) In fact, I have not been convinced by LE language framing a "risk-taker" and "reckless" behaviour. While the crime itself is obviously the action of a person wildly out of control/reason (hence if a crime of passion & not pre-med??) his actions after the fact make sinister sense to me. *IF* the perp was covered in blood (and how could he not be?) then either walking to where he had parked at a distance -- or, in alt theory, walking to his home in some proximity -- he would be risking heightened visibility by NOT traveling via the protection of a vehicle (for cover * getaway). He drove her vehicle and parked it perfectly aligned in the spot where it was located (at least, as photos seem to indicate). Does that seem like the work of someone not in control? Of someone high on drugs or otherwise altered?
The million-dollar question for most folks I think is: why did he remove her? It's an atypical action. THAT was risky. Was the chance of degrading evidence by delaying location a calculation of risk absorption? WAS it worth the risk?
I believe someone here or on the former UC floated the idea that perhaps the perp was driving Sonia's body to the boyfriend's house to drop her there (a frame-up) but didn't fully know the route or was unable to complete the task for time. That's very cold calculation (whether pre-planned or, as I believe, assessment on the fly).
I don't know, but:
there are three crime scenes, and a LOT of blood, at all reports, at one especially. If he was so reckless, so risky, so disorganized, then he has certainly been VERY lucky to elude detection so far.
I am worried this is someone who, while having evident propensity to catastrophically "snap" is otherwise eerily careful, and likely someone who has committed or will similar crimes. I hope not.

It really is the big question. Why bother moving the body? The scene at the town home was a mess, the body wasn't exactly concealed very well and the car was left bloody and right down the street from Sonias house. Couldn't the killer have just left Sonia in the townhouse?

If they wanted to "buy time" why not clean up the scene, do a better job of hiding the body, do better to hide the car and then wander away? This way, Sonia appears to be only missing and that is where time is bought and distance is created, no?

I don't even know what to think. Some elements say "crime of passion" while others say "premeditated". Some parts appear organized while others appear disorganized.

When LE mentioned the person being in an altered state I think they were referring to the behaviour of the killer after the fact. As far as the description of reckless or out of control, I don't think so either.

Sometimes I think what appears to be sloppiness is in fact, an indication of the killers confidence level. As if to say "why should I bother to clean any of this blood, you can't connect it to me anyway". Chilling.

 

[Gina20]

The profile for Sonia's killer seemed like standard descriptions that police give after a murder. It seems hard to believe that a three-day summit was needed for that, so I believe there is more to the story.

Do they think that Sonia's murderer was using drugs and alcohol before the murder? Was something stolen that would give this impression...a bicycle (easy way to get money for drugs), money, credit cards? On the other hand, someone could stage a theft to give the impression of robbery as a motive.

I can see no reason why a drug- and alcohol-muddled murderer would move Sonia's body. If they were that addled, this scenario makes no sense.

I think Sonia was moved for the reason of DNA degradation, and because her killer did know her; and she knew or recognized him. So close to IR's home doesn't seem random.

Were the people who bought the furniture questioned? I could have missed this.

 

[Gina20]

I found this a while back.

YOU ASKED: Who was ‘Steve’? What were the circumstances of his death at Orangeville Brampton Railway crossing?

Does anyone know if this is a popular route for motorcyclists, or people on dirt bikes and ATVs?

 

[dotr]

I found this a while back.

YOU ASKED: Who was ‘Steve’? What were the circumstances of his death at Orangeville Brampton Railway crossing?

Does anyone know if this is a popular route for motorcyclists, or people on dirt bikes and ATVs?

That is pretty interesting, nice find.
As for the 3 day summit, not usual afaik for the unfortunately very common slaying of a female, if the murder seems unusual and bizarre to us it must be for LE too.
Could it be because some kind of criminal organization was involved, bike gangs, Italian mafia, what about a terror group of some kind, SV started working in the pharmaceutical industry- lots of complications there as per the Honey and Barry Sherman murders. ect?
speculation, imo.

 

[Gina20]

That is pretty interesting, nice find.
As for the 3 day summit, not usual afaik for the unfortunately very common slaying of a female, if the murder seems unusual and bizarre to us it must be for LE too.
Could it be because some kind of criminal organization was involved, bike gangs, Italian mafia, what about a terror group of some kind, SV started working in the pharmaceutical industry- lots of complications there as per the Honey and Barry Sherman murders. ect?
speculation, imo.

I don't think Jessica Lloyd or Marie-France Comeau got a three-day FBI summit. Audrey Gleave didn't.

There was so much going on in 2010: Russell Williams, the missing scientist from the Chalk River nuclear facility, the G8, G20 and preparations for the 2015 Pan Am games. Dellen Millard and Mark Smich, along with the murders of Barry and Honey Sherman were yet to come to our attention. Then there are the ever-present criminal organizations...a lot going on.

Getting back to IR selling furniture before he left Canada, was Sonia at his house when that exchange happened? IR said she went to his place on Sunday, and drove him into downtown Orangeville. Did someone follow them? Did IR meet someone and drive back with them to his rural home? How did he get back; did she drive him home?

 

[Gina20]

There have been a number of health data breaches in Ontario over the years.

In Peel Region:

A memory card containing the names, addresses, birthdates and marital status of more than 18,000 people has been stolen from a Peel Region employee’s car.

The information belonged to people who were part of Peel Public Health’s Healthy Babies Healthy Children program between March 2010 and August 2011. Information from 46 people who took part in the program earlier was also stored on the card.

Personal information of 18,000 people stolen in Peel Region

In Durham region, 2009:

The order follows an incident in December when the health data of more than 83,000 people who received H1N1 flu shots went missing.

A nurse was taking a USB key containing the records to her car in Whitby, Ont., to take it to a clinic site when the device was lost.

Durham ordered to encrypt portable health data

However careful Sonia was personally, things like this can also happen:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/desjardins-data-breach-1.5344216

 

[GinaSeikwa]

Those young men next door that Sonia had conflicts with are still on my mind. They seemed like pretty hard partiers. I can see more than one person being involved in this and acting in a drug and alcohol fuelled frenzy.
Gang/ mob mentality too where more than one person knows what happened but will never give up their brother. IMO

 

[Gina20]

What became of IR's vehicle? Did he sell it online or through a newspaper ad, or did he make arrangements to ship it overseas? Was Sonia ever present during such arrangements?

Vehicles were being stolen in Peel region in 2010 for shipment overseas.

Man charged for allegedly shipping stolen cars to Africa

This was before Dellen Millard and Mark Smich decided to test drive vehicles and murder.

How about IR's home -- did he own or rent? In 2010, an Ontario couple was caught with $500,000 in property stolen at real estate open houses. They also were reported to have stolen from open houses at properties in several U.S. states.

Durham police recover $500,000 in stolen property

Also from 2010 in Peel Region:

Two transport trailer loads of Sony products stolen in Brampton

Peel region was busy in 2010.

If Sonia did meet her killer online, it might not have been on a dating website, and it might not have been her making contact.

 

[Gina20]

It seems to me that Sonia's murder happened at a time when the Orangeville Police Service was becoming outdated and overwhelmed. With the big city encroaching further and further into the countryside, how could a small town police force cope? There simply aren't enough resources. As we know from other cases in the past, Pickton for example, there are also issues with having multiple police forces with boundaries that allow criminals to operate on the edge of those boundaries and slip through the cracks.

Boundary issues came to light here:

Orangeville police board asks chief to investigate increased OPP presence

Sonia was taken from her home into the countryside. I hope that boundary disputes were not an impediment in this investigation.

Sadly, there seems to be a history of boundary issues.

Orangeville police ‘anxious’ to get Dufferin 911 contract back

Orangevillle Police Service vs Ontario Provincial Police

 

[dotr]

We assume (with good reason, imo) that a male attacked SV, but what if it was actually a large, strong and ''sporty'' woman?
speculation, imo.

 

[Gina20]

We've asked why Sonia was moved from her home in Orangeville to the roadside in the country. Who would know the Orangeville Police Service boundaries better than a local person, and one with past experience with the ins and outs of it? There's no better way to slow an investigation than by involving multiple layers of policing.

Does anyone know the exact boundary line between OPS territory and OPP territory in 2010? Please share.

 

[Gina20]

There was upheaval in the Orangeville police Service in 2010, according to this letter published in the Orangeville Citizen.

Consider the future of policing carefully, Orangeville

Is it any wonder there are no answers in Sonia's case, 10 years later? Was Sonia's case caught up in the crosshairs of internal strife at the OPS?

The letter notes that OPS officers lived in and on the outskirts of Orangeville in those days. If only one of them had been returning from or heading out for a shift in the early morning hours after Sonia's murder.

 

[Gina20]

According to my calculations, Sonia was found in a location about equidistant from the Orangeville Police Service and the OPP Caledon detachment. That could have been carefully calculated or random.