CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 2:24PM EDT
The investigation into severed human remains discovered along a Mississauga river entered its fifth day Sunday, as police continue to scour the area for more evidence.
Meanwhile a second, possibly related investigation is ongoing in north east Toronto after remains were found near Kennedy Road and Bonis Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
According to Toronto police, the coroner’s office has been notified to determine if the remains are human and if there is any connection to the ongoing Mississauga investigation.
Jackie Crandles of CP24 told CTV News Channel on Sunday that while police have not said if the remains found along a Scarborough creek are human, “it’s strongly believed they are.”
Crandles said the individual who alerted Toronto police to the remains told CP24 he found what appeared to be a severed portion of a human leg.
Since Wednesday, a severed human foot, head and two hands were discovered near the edge of the Credit River in Mississauga’s Hewick Meadows Park.
On Sunday a team of 30 officers scoured the area within a four-kilometre radius of where the foot was discovered.
Investigators have also discovered flip flops and running shoes in the area that they said could be part of the evidence.
“Police are leaving no stone unturned,” said Crandles. “It’s a vast area with water, rough terrain and dense trees.”
The body parts have been sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto. The results will give investigators more clues as to the identity of the victim and how long the body parts were hidden before they were discovered.
However, investigators estimate that it could take another week before a pathology report is complete.
Const. George Tudos of the Peel Police told reporters that the investigation is a first for the police force.
“This is pretty horrific, I mean it’s not something common at all within our jurisdiction,” he said. “This is probably one of the most, I guess, horrific findings that we’ve had here.”
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 area on foot.
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.
Without a definitive cause of death, police are reluctant to label the grisly discovery a murder, but said “foul play” is involved. Investigators have not confirmed whether all of the dismembered parts belong to the same body, but said a connection is likely.
Yellow nail polish on the foot led investigators to believe the victim was a woman.
Meanwhile, homicide detectives said Friday that they’re looking into all missing person cases within Peel region and neighbouring jurisdictions.
