EARLY LIFE:
Rena Fox was from the Osnaburgh First Nation. She loved to travel, dance and go for drives in the country – all signs of her sense of adventure. She was also known for being non-judgemental, meaning those around her trusted and confided in her.
At the time of her death, Rena was a 38-year-old mother of four whose children were in the foster care system. She was living in Thunder Bay, Ontario and was employed with the Office of the Registrar General.
DEATH:
Rena’s body was found on February 28, 2003, just outside of Thunder Bay, near Kakabeka Falls.
According to her daughter, Bryanne Machimity, the family was told her mother had died of natural causes. However, at her funeral, she remembers seeing bruises all over Rena’s face. Bryanne’s suspicions regarding her mother’s death haven’t been alleviated by those involved in the investigation, as the coroner wasn’t able to determine a cause and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has remained tightlipped regarding what happened.
INVESTIGATION:
Bryanne has told the media of a secondhand story she heard regarding what may have happened to her mother. According to the account, Rena was at a bar and had called a friend for a ride, as two men were bothering her. It took her friend a while to get there, as she had to put her children to bed, and Rena was gone by the time she arrived at the establishment.
There are some within the local community who feel the 38-year-old was raped and killed.
The OPP continues to investigate Rena’s death, and while investigators don’t believe it to be the result of a murder, they’ve said the investigation will remain open until evidence comes to light to confirm her passing wasn’t suspicious in nature.
According to Bryanne, repeated calls to investigators regarding her mother’s case have gone unanswered.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Anyone with information regarding Rena Fox’s death is asked to contact the OPP at +1 (888) 310-1122. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers at +1 (800) 222-8477.
Image Credit: CBC
Stories of the Unsolved 