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

[vsr2018]

Hi everyone, new here but I've been following along for a while. I do have a question I was hoping one of you might be able to shed some light on. I know they say they have DNA of the suspect in this case, and yet despite receiving samples from countless individuals, they have yet to find any matches. Does anyone suspect that perhaps the DNA they "have" is not really as complete as we have been lead to believe? Im just curious, because to me it seems like someone who is capable of such a horrific crime would have offended again, or in the past, and yet there have been no matches. Just curious to see what you all think here. Thanks!

 

[Gina20]

Hi everyone, new here but I've been following along for a while. I do have a question I was hoping one of you might be able to shed some light on. I know they say they have DNA of the suspect in this case, and yet despite receiving samples from countless individuals, they have yet to find any matches. Does anyone suspect that perhaps the DNA they "have" is not really as complete as we have been lead to believe? Im just curious, because to me it seems like someone who is capable of such a horrific crime would have offended again, or in the past, and yet there have been no matches. Just curious to see what you all think here. Thanks!

Hello and welcome!

Only the police can answer your question.

It could be that the DNA on file is incomplete, but we can only speculate. It could also be that Sonia's murderer left complete DNA, but that person was known to Sonia, and without further evidence or a witness, nothing can be done for now.

A decade has come and gone, and DNA technology has improved. There's Parabon and genetic genealogy now. A few years back, an expert said this case might be solvable with familial DNA, if it were legal.

There are many new resources, but still no answers. Sonia's mother doesn't even know how she died. Police have been in very tight-lipped.

 

[2soccermom]

Welcome, vsr2018! My original worry was that LE doesn't have DNA at all -- that collection was a tactic to 'smoke out' a POI who might refuse to provide a sample (IIRC, LE had a targeted list of men they approached originally). LE has the right to provide false info to the public if they believe it will protect or advance the investigation. There have also been conflicting statements (to me, at least) in media about the DNA and as I have pointed these out a few times here on WS I won't waste folks' time to do so again. I'm feeling emptied out as time drags on with still no movement (or so at least it appears)
I have always said I really, really hope I'm mistaken and that LE indeed has DNA evidence from the scene(s). As time passes, I find myself concomitantly feeling hope and despair about this evidence....
But it's good to see fresh voices and perspectives and hopefully new ideas here on the site. We need something to change after more than 10 years.

 

[Gina20]

Welcome, vsr2018! My original worry was that LE doesn't have DNA at all -- that collection was a tactic to 'smoke out' a POI who might refuse to provide a sample (IIRC, LE had a targeted list of men they approached originally). LE has the right to provide false info to the public if they believe it will protect or advance the investigation. There have also been conflicting statements (to me, at least) in media about the DNA and as I have pointed these out a few times here on WS I won't waste folks' time to do so again. I'm feeling emptied out as time drags on with still no movement (or so at least it appears)
I have always said I really, really hope I'm mistaken and that LE indeed has DNA evidence from the scene(s). As time passes, I find myself concomitantly feeling hope and despair about this evidence....
But it's good to see fresh voices and perspectives and hopefully new ideas here on the site. We need something to change after more than 10 years.

I think that is what we all fear, 2soccermom. With all the new DNA advancements, why have we seen no movement in Sonia's case?

Here's another example of DNA advancements leading to charges in cold cases, 40 years later.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calg...atrick-foothills-sex-crimes-charges-1.5915713

I feel for Sonia's mom, when she said, "He got away with it."

 

[Gina20]

I should note that all three of the recent cold cases I've referred to that led to charges have been perpetrated by strangers.

 

[Gina20]

For anyone who's interested, here is the case of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki.

DNA is solving Greenville's decades-old cold cases - GREENVILLE JOURNAL

“We swabbed hundreds of people and ran that DNA against our unknown, and we came up unsuccessful,” Conroy said.

Sound familiar? Genevieve Zitricki was blitz-attacked in her bed while she slept. Police stated at one point that her killer knew her, but she did not know him. She was popular and outgoing.

It took 28 years to solve her murder, using a combination of Parabon NanoLabs, Genweb, genetic genealogy, DNA swabs from relatives who willingly provided it and DNA from other crime scenes. The police paid to exhume the remains of the suspected killer, who was a serial rapist and murderer. His wiki states that the victims physically resembled his wife, and had a similar haircut. He held his wife hostage in a hotel room days before he took his own life.

Robert Eugene Brashers - Wikipedia

I've gathered this information from a number of articles. There's more insight here.

‘My father was a serial killer’: Robert Brashers’ daughter speaks out

"If there's somebody in your family that goes from being ok to acting really strange, think about that person you know? Watch that person's moves. Watch how they act. Because you never know how a person really is."

Somebody knows something. They always do.

Police chief: 'violent serial rapist and murderer' killed Greenville woman in 1990, committed multiple other murders, rapes across US

 

[dotr]

For anyone who's interested, here is the case of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki.

DNA is solving Greenville's decades-old cold cases - GREENVILLE JOURNAL

“We swabbed hundreds of people and ran that DNA against our unknown, and we came up unsuccessful,” Conroy said.

Sound familiar? Genevieve Zitricki was blitz-attacked in her bed while she slept. Police stated at one point that her killer knew her, but she did not know him. She was popular and outgoing.

It took 28 years to solve her murder, using a combination of Parabon NanoLabs, Genweb, genetic genealogy, DNA swabs from relatives who willingly provided it and DNA from other crime scenes. The police paid to exhume the remains of the suspected killer, who was a serial rapist and murderer. His wiki states that the victims physically resembled his wife, and had a similar haircut. He held his wife hostage in a hotel room days before he took his own life.

Robert Eugene Brashers - Wikipedia

I've gathered this information from a number of articles. There's more insight here.

‘My father was a serial killer’: Robert Brashers’ daughter speaks out

"If there's somebody in your family that goes from being ok to acting really strange, think about that person you know? Watch that person's moves. Watch how they act. Because you never know how a person really is."

Somebody knows something. They always do.

Police chief: 'violent serial rapist and murderer' killed Greenville woman in 1990, committed multiple other murders, rapes across US

Thanks for the interesting article, especially for this chilling and could apply to the many cases here, quote.. rbbm.

‘My father was a serial killer’: Robert Brashers’ daughter speaks out

"If there's somebody in your family that goes from being ok to acting really strange, think about that person you know? Watch that person's moves. Watch how they act. Because you never know how a person really is."

 

[Gina20]

Maybe it will be easier to connect the dots between possibly connected crimes in Orangeville and area once the local police forces are consolidated under the OPP umbrella.

OPP takes over Shelburne Police Services

 

[LadyL]

Thanks for the interesting article, especially for this chilling and could apply to the many cases here, quote.. rbbm.

‘My father was a serial killer’: Robert Brashers’ daughter speaks out

"If there's somebody in your family that goes from being ok to acting really strange, think about that person you know? Watch that person's moves. Watch how they act. Because you never know how a person really is."

wow, what a strange experience that would be

 

[Gina20]

Finally, genetic genealogy is being used to solve the 1983 murders of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour in Toronto. The field of suspects has been narrowed to two families. Police have given the killer a warning.

"I'd say turn yourself in. I'd say contact a lawyer and turn yourself in.… I'm speaking directly to you. I mean, you've caused so much harm for what it is that you've done...."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/genetic-genealogy-toronto-killings-erin-gilmour-susan-tice-1.5950504

 

[dotr]

Finally, genetic genealogy is being used to solve the 1983 murders of Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour in Toronto. The field of suspects has been narrowed to two families. Police have given the killer a warning.

"I'd say turn yourself in. I'd say contact a lawyer and turn yourself in.… I'm speaking directly to you. I mean, you've caused so much harm for what it is that you've done...."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/genetic-genealogy-toronto-killings-erin-gilmour-susan-tice-1.5950504

Exciting stuff, hoping news about Sonia will come soon too!
CANADA - Canada - Susan Tice, 45, & Erin Gilmour, 22, Toronto, Aug & Dec 1983

 

[Gina20]

There is some excitement in the thread for Susan Tice and Erin Gilmour, with a post by this organization:

The Woodlands-based Othram applies DNA sequencing to aid investigations

It seems to me that this group is ideally suited for a difficult case like Sonia's. Is that "Mothra", the fictional protector of earth?

 

[Deleted member 275109]

How do the police decide which cases to pursue with Othram? It must be very expensive to do this research. I watched the report on this case on tv last night and the family of Erin Gilmore sounded quite wealthy. Does the family pay for the research? Do they go with the cases that have the most DNA available and are most likely to be solved? Oldest cases? I really hope an answer is coming soon for Sonia’s family.

 

[dotr]

How do the police decide which cases to pursue with Othram? It must be very expensive to do this research. I watched the report on this case on tv last night and the family of Erin Gilmore sounded quite wealthy. Does the family pay for the research? Do they go with the cases that have the most DNA available and are most likely to be solved? Oldest cases? I really hope an answer is coming soon for Sonia’s family.

DNASolves - Your DNA Could Help Solve a Crime

After 36 Years, Christine Jessop's Killer Has Been Identified
''Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at recovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. Visit dnasolves.com to learn how anyone can make a difference in helping solve the next cold case.''

 

[Gina20]

A 54-year-old man has died in a shooting about a block away from Sonia's home, on Wellington Street in Orangeville.

SIU investigating death of man, 54, in Orangeville - CityNews Toronto

The article says Wellington Crescent, erroneously. Google says Wellington Street is a couple of minutes' walk from Spring Street.

 

[Gina20]

Man barricaded inside Orangeville, Ont. home found dead, SIU investigating

The incident occurred on Wellington Street at Townline Road, across the street from a school. Two people were taken hostage, and released after police negotiations. One was wounded but both survived. The gunman is dead.

 

[Gina20]

Where was this doctor in 2010?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/hawkesbury-hospital-police-murder-doctor-1.5965096

He graduated from McGill University in 2010. There is a four-year gap after that.

 

[Gina20]

Doctor charged with murder in OPP probe at Hawkesbury hospital | Ottawa Citizen

"In July 2018, he was charged with two counts of unprofessional conduct by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in that province for calling another doctor whom he had a verbal altercation with a “b—ch” and telling another doctor that he “felt like slapping” the doctor with whom he quarrelled. He was also charged with making improper notes on a patient’s chart.

 

[Gina20]

Remembering that the Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket is a teaching hospital in conjunction with the University of Toronto.

Postgraduate Residency Program Details: Southlake Regional Health Centre

Remembering also that Sonia had a workplace conflict over a medication change. Medication errors do occur. Nurses and pharmacists must be vigilant to these errors as a simple decimal point mistake can be deadly to a patient. Hospital medicine is a hierarchical profession; residents work long shifts, pushing fatigue to its limit. Mistakes are made. Obedience to the chain of command or doing the right thing for the patient -- that is a choice nurses unfortunately have to make sometimes, but they also have their own professional code of conduct to live by, and accountability for their own actions.

Sonia's mother might have a better idea of what happened and who was involved.

 

[dotr]

Where was this doctor in 2010?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/hawkesbury-hospital-police-murder-doctor-1.5965096

He graduated from McGill University in 2010. There is a four-year gap after that.

Thinking similarly..
Ws thread..
Canada - Doctor charged with murder after multiple deaths at Hawkesbury, Ont., hospital - Mar 26, 21