UPDATE - SONIA VARASCHIN MURDER

Investigative Summit

ORANGEVILLE, ON, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - During the week of December 6, 2010, an Investigative Summit was held in Toronto by the investigative team leading the ongoing investigation into the murder of 42-year old Sonia VARASCHIN.

Present at the summit were world renowned criminal profilers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Behavioral Analysis Unit located in Quantico, Virginia along with behavioural science experts from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The investigative summit also included senior homicide detectives from the OPP, York Regional Police (YRP), Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and Toronto Police Service (TPS). Also in attendance were investigators assigned to this case from the Orangeville Police Service.

After a meticulous 3 day review of the case, behavioural science experts believe it is important for the public to be aware of specific traits that Sonia VARASCHIN's killer may possess and may have of demonstrated around the time of the murder and the time where Sonia's body would have been located.  In order to focus the police manhunt for the killer, the following theories are being made public:

• Investigators believe that the man that is responsible for the murder of Sonia VARASCHIN is very familiar with Orangeville and likely the Beechgrove Sideroad in the Town of Caledon, specifically in the area that Sonia's body was discovered.
• The location where Sonia's body was found is an area that the offender maybe comfortable with and is likely known to him whether as a result of recreation, occupation or illegal activity.
• Within the days following the murder of Sonia VARASCHIN (August 29-30, 2010) and again within days following the discovery of her body (September 5, 2010), the behaviours displayed by the killer may have been seen as out of the ordinary or unusual by his family, associates, friends or others that may have had interaction with him.
• These behaviours may include things like unexplained absences from his usual activities, whether work, school or missed appointments.
• There may have been an increase in his alcohol or drug use and he would have been seen as irritable, agitated or anxious.
• This person may have also moved from the area or limited his social interactions to avoid detection.

Investigators are confident that this case will be solved and are continuing to seek the assistance of the public with this investigation. Detective Inspector Mark Pritchard, of the OPP CIB and lead investigator has stated, "We are releasing these behavioural traits in a bid to zero in on Sonia's  killer. Someone familiar with the killer will recognize these traits and we are appealing to those people to contact us immediately".

Investigators are also asking anyone with any information with regards to a male that was known to be in possession of or may have been observed wearing the specific Dakota or Wind River brand, size 10 or 11 boots that were earlier shared, has displayed similar or some of the behaviours described above, has knowledge of the Town of Orangeville and has a connection to the Beechgrove Sideroad in the Town of Caledon to please contact the Orangeville Police Service Tip Line at [phone], or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To view photograph of unique tread pattern found on Wind River/Dakota size 10 or 11 work boot being sought by police sold exclusively at Mark's Work Wearhouse, please click http://files.newswire.ca/156/OPPboot.doc.

For further information:

Contact Person:	Provincial Constable Peter Leon Central Region OPP - Media Relations Officer
Phone:	705-329-7414