Police suspect foul play in case of missing Orangeville woman

ORANGEVILLE, Ont. – Provincial police said they believe a missing Orangeville woman has met with foul play.

Investigators are working to establish a timeline which may identify how 42-year-old Sonia Veraschin’s white Toyota ended up behind the Orangeville Town Hall.

Police want to talk to anyone who saw the car between the overnight or early morning hours Sunday to prior to 10 a.m. Monday.

Rural property owners are also being asked to check their properties for anything suspicious or out of place.

However, police sources told 680News they believe was murdered and possibly dismembered upstairs in her Orangeville home before being removed.

Police issued a release Friday that states that the “reported issues concerning the residence have not been provided to the media by anyone associated with the investigation.”

The investigators advise that these reports are “erroneous and unsubstantiated.”

Police said as with any case of this magnitude, there are countless hours of detailed investigative work that ultimately leads to rumours and speculation.

Orangeville Police Chief Joseph Tomei told 680News forensic evidence is not encouraging that she will be found safe.

“It’s true that we did find blood in her car.  We did find blood certainly in her residence and that would indicate foul play.  It’s very suspicious. But, being an eternal optimist I hope for good results.” said Tomei.

Police released a video of a minivan that was caught on a surveillance video driving by the location behind the town hall where the victim’s car was found in the hope that the driver may have been a witness to the incident.

After the appeal was made for the driver to come forward, investigators received a telephone call and police spoke with him.

Unfortunately the driver did not see anything that could have helped the investigation.

OPP Constable Peter Leon told 680News people in the outlying rural areas are being asked to call police if they find anything suspicious on their property.

“Any member of the public who might come across clothing or any form of human remains that appear to be out of place, we’re certainly requesting they contact the hotline immediately.” said Constable Leon.

Ground, air and trail searches of the Orangeville area have failed to find traces of her.

Varaschin’s car was found in an alley Monday morning and when she did not show up for work Monday, her family reported her missing.

Authorities told 680News they have no suspects and fear she may have been the victim on a random act.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen Varaschin. She is described as five-foot one-inch tall, 125 pounds, with brown hair that has lighter coloured streaks.

A dedicated phone line has been set up by Orangeville police at (519) 941-2522 (ext. 2211). Anonymous calls can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).