*Last Updated – September 2, 2024*
UPDATE
AUGUST 23, 2024:
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has revealed the identity of the decedent previously known as the Rockwood Jane Doe. With assistance from the Toronto Police Service and Othram, Inc., she’s been identified as 41-year-old Tammy Eileen Penner of British Columbia. According to investigators, Penner, who had ties to Chilliwack and Abbotsford, was reported missing to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on February 7, 2005.
A renewed investigation was launched by the OPP and Toronto Police Service in 2023, leading to Othram being contacted. The company was able to develop a comprehensive DNA profile for the decedent, which was used by the genetic genealogy team in Toronto to locate potential relatives. A presumptive identification was made in April 2024, with a family member’s DNA used to confirm Penner’s identity.
At this point, investigators still aren’t sure what led to Penner’s death, but they’re hoping her identification will lead those with information to come forward. They’re asking all tips be called into the OPP at +1 (888) 310-1122. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at +1 (800) 222-8477.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
DISCOVERY:
On August 28, 2005, a cyclist traveling through a picnic area in Eramosa Township, Ontario, discovered the concealed body of a deceased female. The location, which is a wooded rest stop, runs along Highway 7, one the province’s major highways.
AUTOPSY:
An autopsy was performed on the body, and it was learnt Jane Doe’s death had occurred approximately two-to-six weeks prior. Given the remains were partially decomposed, a cause of death couldn’t be determined and a toxicology report couldn’t be drawn up. However, it was noted that the decedent had suffered no recent injuries, and there were no signs of sexual assault.
Investigators believe foul play was involved, as it appears Jane Doe’s body had been dragged about 10 metres away from the picnic area, into the surrounding woods.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as being a White female between 25 and 45 years of age. She had medium build, standing anywhere from 5’4″-5’6″ and weighing approximately 130 pounds. Given the level of decomposition, her eye colour is unknown. That being said, they were able to determine she had brown hair that had recently been lightened to a reddish-brown tone.
The decedent had suffered injuries to her face at some point in her life, including a broken nose, a broken left cheek and damage to her left eye socket. She’d had an upper dental plate placed in her face to replace a missing incisor and canine tooth, both of which were lost as a result of these wounds. Unfortunately, it didn’t have an ID number investigators could use to identify her. While these injuries were well-healed, they most likely would have resulted in a facial deformity.
An examination of the body also revealed Jane Doe suffered from arthritis, which affected her neck, all the way down to her lower back. This was the result of an accident, not from aging.
At the time her remains were discovered, the decedent was wearing white thong-style Rivage Intimate-brand underwear that had a small bow at the waist; a pink 725 Originals-brand bra, with “31” on the left cup; black Illegal Jeanswear-brand corduroy shorts, with two horizontal-zippered front pockets and two back pockets with button-down flaps; and a beige Atmosphere-brand tank top that had 1″ straps and a round neckline.
According to police, her clothes appear to have been purchased in the Montréal, Québec area.
When discovered, Jane Doe’s body had been concealed by a Woods-brand sleeping bag. the brand was known to be sold at Canadian Tire, with that specific colour manufactured until 2004. It was noted as being in good condition.
Police believe the decedent may have recently immigrated to Canada from Europe prior to her death.
RULE OUTS:
1) Elaine Dumba, who went missing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1989.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s dentals are available for comparison, as are her DNA and fingerprints. A cash reward of $50,000 is being offered by the Government of Ontario for any information that leads to her identification and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Wellington County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at (519) 323-3130 or +1 (888) 310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at +1 (800) 222-8477.
Image Credit: Ontario Provincial Police/Unidentified Wiki
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