Provincial police say the 2010 death of a woman in Caledon, Ont., is one that remains top of mind for investigators, even years later. Sixteen years ago, Sonia Varaschin was reported missing by her family. During the investigation, police found her car in Orangeville, with bloodstains in it. Days later, OPP discovered the body of 42-year-old Varaschin wrapped in bedsheets and dumped in a wooded area near Beech Grove Sideroad in Caledon, 13 kilometres from her home. Her death was deemed a homicide by police. On Friday, OPP pleaded to the public again, asking for anyone with information to come forward. “We’ve never stopped investigating this case,” says Detective Inspector Shawn Glassford, OPP Criminal Investigation Branch. In an interview with CTV News on Thursday, Glassford says investigators continue to work the case as tips from the public continue to pour in. OPP could not confirm whether or not more than one person is believed to be linked to the death of Varaschin. “We’re not limiting ourselves to just one, we don’t put on blinders. When we find out what happened, we’ll know exactly who was involved or how many people were involved.” Glassford says. “For now we’re keeping it open,” he adds. Sixteen years into an investigation, Glassford says the memories of people can fade and present a challenge to investigators. “But the people that know what happened will always remember this,” Glassford says. “The people that have information that they’ve held onto, it must be heavy on their chest, we want those people to come forward.” Years ago, the province implemented a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the death of Varaschin. “We’re looking for any tip that has relevance to this investigation,” Glassford adds. He says that while lots of tips have come in over the years, “unfortunately, a lot of the information we have doesn’t pan out, which is too bad.” Glassford says that tips that do not pan out are a natural part of an aging investigation. Regardless, he encourages residents to reach out to police with any information that could help and says “let us decide if we think it has value or not.” Glassford tells CTV News that the case still has a handful of unidentified DNA profiles, something he hopes modern technology can help solve. “DNA technology is advancing every day and we want to take advantage of that,” he says. The detective says he is still in regular communication with Sonia’s mother. “We want to see this case solved for Mrs. Varaschin and for her community,” he says. Years later, police maintain the belief that Sonia’s death was targeted. OPP say the investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to police or Crime Stoppers.
