CTV Toronto
Published Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 7:53AM EDT
Last Updated Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 10:43AM EDT
Investigators said on Friday that there’s no connection between the human remains found in a Mississauga, Ont. river this week and body parts suspect Luka Rocco Magnotta.
Peel Police Const. George Tudos also told reporters at the scene that authorities don’t believe the severed head and foot is connected to a missing person’s case involving 16-year-old Mila Johnson of Brampton who has been missing since Aug. 3.
“Our homicide investigators have spoke to the family and at this time from the evidence that we have no connection,” said Tudos.
Investigators are concentrating their search for more human remains in the area where the grisly discoveries were first made.
However, Tudos said that investigators are no closer to identifying the victim and have not found any other evidence connected to the body parts since the search began on Wednesday.
The massive search was launched after a group of hikers discovered a foot severed foot in Credit River of Hewick Meadows Park, near Eglinton Avenue and Mississauga Road.
After a day-long search on Thursday, police divers discovered a human head in the river, about one kilometre north of where the foot was found.
Meanwhile, tests on the human remains are being conducted at the Centre for Forensic Science, said Tudos.
“We’re still waiting for results,” said Tudor, adding that a post-mortem exam is scheduled for Friday morning.
“These tests do take time and hopefully as soon as we got more information we will be updating you.”
Homicide detectives said on Friday that they would be focusing their attention on all missing person cases within Peel region and neighbouring jurisdictions.
The rushing waters coming down the Credit River could slow investigators down as they search the river, however, Tudos said rising waters could help move items down stream.
“It could work in both ways at this time and we’re hoping that conducting these foot searches and using Cadaver dogs here today that we’re going to be hopefully finding some more evidence so we can identity the victim.”
Peel police confirmed that the discovery of the foot is thought to belong to a female, which was severed at the ankle.
“It’s a right foot, and distinctive on this foot, was the yellow nail polish,” Peel Regional Police Acting Insp. Randy Cowan told reporters.
The foot was not in a bag and there was no footwear attached to it when it was found.
Although police have not yet identified the body parts, the size of the both the head and the foot do not suggest they are from a child.
Investigators will be travelling in a northern direction along the Credit River on Friday and Tudos said if needed the search area will be expanded.
The marine team is searching the water and a dive team is on standby. Tudos said 20 to 30 officers are searching the area on foot.
“We’re not limiting ourselves to any small perimeter, we’re going wherever we can to try and solve this case,” said Tudos.
A large part of Hewick Meadows Park remains closed to the public as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-453-2121 ext. 3205 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
