POLICE CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR MISSING ORANGEVILLE WOMAN

UPDATE - POLICE NOW SUSPECT FOUL PLAY IN HER DISAPPEARANCE

ORANGEVILLE, ON, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - The ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Sonia VARASCHIN, which is being conducted under the direction of Detective Inspector Mark Pritchard of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) is continuing after ground, air and trail searches have failed to locate her whereabouts.

Investigators at this point, based on forensic examinations of both her residence and the area where her car was located, believe that Sonia VARASCHIN has met with foul play.

On August 30, 2010, members of the Orangeville Police Service commenced an investigation into the disappearance of 42-year old Sonia VARASCHIN of Orangeville after she had failed to show up to work as expected that day.

A white Toyota Corolla belonging to Sonia VARASCHIN was found parked in an alley way near Broadway Street at approximately 10:00 AM that morning and what appeared to be blood was found both on the vehicle and at her Spring Street residence.

Sonia VARASCHIN has not been seen or heard from and is described as being approximately 5'1" tall, 125 lbs and brown hair with lighter coloured streaks.

Orangeville Police Chief Joseph Tomei is urging members of the public who may have seen Sonia to immediately contact the dedicated tip line which has been set up at [phone], extension 2211 or to call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Police are also requesting that members of the media not contact the VARASCHIN family during this difficult time as their request for privacy must be respected.

The media will be updated at any new developments in this investigation at a media conference to be held at 3:00PM today at the Orangeville Police Service.

For further information: Provincial Constable Peter Leon, Central Region Media Relations Officer, Ph: 1-705-329-7414