OPP intensify search for missing Ontario girl
Police repeat door-to-door interviews, scour pond
Last Updated: Saturday, April 18, 2009 | 3:10 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
Video
- Kerry McKee reports: OPP intensify search for missing Ontario girl (Runs: 1:23)
- Play: Real Media »
- Play: QuickTime »
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
The Ontario Provincial Police on Saturday launched what they said would be an intensified search in Woodstock, Ont., for missing eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford.
Victoria Stafford, shown in a family photo from July 2008, has been missing since she left her school in Woodstock, Ont., on April 8. (Canadian Press) Under the direction of Det.-Insp. William Renton, officers were scouring all local waterways, including a pond, about one kilometre from the school where the girl was last seen on April 8.
The OPP's underwater search and recovery unit, working at Southside Park, planned to use sonar equipment to take a reading of the pond's bottom.
The equipment can detect objects 20 metres in either direction, scanning the area in matter of hours. The same job would take divers a couple of days, police told CBC News.
Police will also be re-examining older information and tips, and detectives will be canvassing homes and residents in the hope of uncovering some new leads.
Officers were once more going door to door, talking to people — in some cases for the fourth or fifth time — hoping to jog their memories and to touch base with people who were away for the Easter long weekend, when the search was in its early stage.
Police say the renewed investigation could last seven days or longer and there will be "significant police activity" in the local area.
On Saturday afternoon, people from the city of approximately 35,000 planned a "Walk for Tori," starting at the College Avenue Secondary School.
The most significant lead police have publicly talked about is footage from a surveillance camera mounted at the high school, capturing movements from the nearby Oliver Stephens Public School. The video shows a woman with long brown hair and a white coat walking with the missing Grade 3 student.
No one has come forward to identify the woman, and her face is not clearly visible in the grainy footage.
The case was upgraded Friday to an abduction from a missing persons case. The change in status was announced by Renton, who has stepped in to take the lead role in the investigation.
"We have pretty substantial direction in that regard,'' Renton said when asked about a possible identity for the woman in the video, but added "to go public with any sort of comment would be a hindrance.''
Tori's mother, Tara McDonald, has said she's convinced the woman is a stranger to her daughter and family.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Whitney Houston death shows no signs of trauma
- Whitney Houston's life of glorious song and unnerving self-destruction apparently ended on Grammy weekend, but it could be weeks before investigators know exactly why she died. more »
- Greece cleans up after anti-austerity riots
- Firefighters douse smouldering buildings and cleanup crews sweep rubble from the streets of central Athens after a night of rioting during which lawmakers approved harsh new austerity measures. more »
- 5 unforgettable moments from the Grammy Awards
- Adele made a triumphant return after vocal chord surgery, Jennifer Hudson wowed the crowd with a moving tribute to Whitney Houston, and other key moments from Sunday night's show. more »
- Manitoba wants ER death lawsuit thrown out
- The Manitoba government is making a court bid Monday to quash a lawsuit by the family of Brian Sinclair, a homeless man who died after waiting 34 hours in a hospital emergency room in 2008. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Manitoba wants ER death lawsuit thrown out
- The Manitoba government is making a court bid Monday to quash a lawsuit by the family of Brian Sinclair, a homeless man who died after waiting 34 hours in a hospital emergency room in 2008. more »
- Accused in Quebec triple murder set for court
- A 35-year-old man accused of killing his mother and two nieces in Saint-Romain, Que., is set to make his first court appearance. more »
- Still no power for 100s in Maritimes
- P.E.I.'s Maritime Electric is still struggling to restore power to customers in eastern P.E.I. after a winter storm Saturday night. more »
- B.C. premier delivers talk show 'throne speech'
- Premier Christy Clark is returning to her roots as a radio talk show host to announce her priorities on Monday morning — ahead of the start of the spring legislative session on Tuesday. more »
On Tonight's National
Top stories
Shafia Jury Deliberations
- Dan Halton
- The jury in the Shafia murder trial begun deliberations today. Mohammad Shafia, his wife and his son are accused of killing four of their family members. They are charged with four counts of first-degree murder and have all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Watch the Best of the Show
- Get Connected
- Syria cracks down on protesters, one day before an Arab League delegation arrives.
Stay Connected
- Carolyn Dunn
- An English soccer captain is facing racial abuse charges after an on-field exchange with another player.
The Current
- Panda Diplomacy Feb. 10, 2012 2:43 PM Zoos in Canada are getting ready to welcome two giant pandas despite concerns about whether this will actually generate revenue and awareness about conservation.
- 'Disgusting' court backlog may free hit and run accused
- Adele wins best album, best record Grammys
- Whitney Houston autopsy results withheld
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- Ice road closed after 2 incidents
- Greece cleans up after anti-austerity riots
- CBC digital music service launches
- Whitney Houston death shows no signs of trauma
- Manitoba man dies after falling off moving SUV
