CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012 11:18AM EDT
Last Updated Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012 11:26AM EDT
Investigators returned to the shores of a river in Mississauga, Ont. Saturday morning, to continue searching for evidence following the discovery of multiple body parts in the area.
Cadaver dogs and police divers assembled near the edge of the Credit River in Hewick Meadows Park, where a human head, foot and two hands were discovered in previous days.
Sgt. Pete Brandwood noted Friday that Peel police have not confirmed whether all of the dismembered parts belong to the same body, but said a connection is likely.
The search for further evidence on Saturday is expected to extend south of Hewick Meadows, CP24 reporter Jackie Crandles told CTV News Channel.
The Credit River begins north of Caledon and empties into Lake Ontario. Police said it’s possible the remains may have drifted down the river from where they were originally discarded.
Heavy rains hit the area earlier in the week, police noted, possibly pushing additional evidence downstream. A marine team has been scouring the water, while dozens of officers have searched the surrounding on foot.
“We’re not limiting ourselves to any small perimeter, we’re going wherever we can to try and solve this case,” Peel police Const. George Tudos told reporters late last week.
The investigation began Wednesday when hikers located a foot while walking along a trail in Hewick Meadows. In the following days, officers discovered a severed head and two hands.
The foot, which was severed at the ankle, is believed to belong to a female victim.
“It’s a right foot, and distinctive on this foot, was the yellow nail polish,” Peel Regional Police Acting Insp. Randy Cowan told reporters on Thursday.
Police said the condition of the foot suggested it ended up in the water fairly recently, while its size indicates the remains belonged to an adult rather than a child.
Searchers have also discovered clothing in the area.
Tests on the remains are being conducted at the Ontario's Centre of Forensic Sciences. Police are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem exam that was scheduled for Friday morning.
Without a definitive cause of death, police are reluctant to label the grisly discovery a murder, but say there is “foul play” involved.
Meanwhile, homicide detectives said Friday that they’re looking into all missing person cases within Peel region and neighbouring jurisdictions.
