 An autopsy has confirmed that the remains found in Orangeville, Ont. are those of missing nurse Sonia Varaschin. (OPP Handout Photo)
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BOLTON, Ont. - Now, they can grieve.
More than a week after she vanished and two days after human remains were found, the family of Sonia Varaschin finally got the information that dashed their hopes of finding her alive Tuesday when investigators said her the remains were those of the missing woman and that she had been murdered.
The steady succession of visitors to the Bolton, Ont., home where Varaschin's parents live began around 2 p.m.
Orangeville police chief Joseph Tomei arrived at 2:45 p.m. and left just after 3 p.m., refusing to speak to reporters.
Ontario Provincial Police issued a statement at 5 p.m. saying that human remains found by a dog walker just off Beech Grove Sdrd. in Caledon Sunday morning were those of the missing 42-year-old Orangeville woman.
The identity was confirmed by an autopsy performed on the remains in Toronto on Tuesday.
"Her death has been ruled a homicide," the OPP said.
"The Varaschin family has been notified and they have requested privacy as they deal with the news of Sonia's death. The family is currently being supported by members of Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services."
Reached on his phone, Varaschin's brother, Viv Varaschin, politely denied comment, saying, "I have no comment at this time...Thanks for the respect."
Varaschin, a nurse who previously worked at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto and Southlake hospital in Newmarket, was last in contact with her family the evening of Aug. 29.
When she didn't show up for work at a Mississauga pharmaceutical firm the next day, her family reported her missing.
That morning, her blood-stained white Toyota Corolla was found abandoned in a downtown Orangeville alleyway, a short drive from her Spring St. home, where more blood was found.
Investigators believe Varaschin's killer used her car to drive her body to the wooded area before driving it back to Orangeville.
OPP and Orangeville police investigators "believe that someone in the community holds the key to solving this homicide," police said.
They asked that anyone who may have seen Varaschin's car during the late hours of Aug. 29 or before 10 a.m. on Aug. 30 to contact police.
More information is expected to be released during a Wednesday afternoon press conference in Orangeville.
Messages of hope and support filled a Facebook page made in Varaschin's name in the hours leading up to the news that she had been murdered.
"My thoughts are with (Sonia's) family on this very trying day," wrote one woman.
"I am speechless, but full of hope," wrote another.
"To the Varaschin family," wrote another woman. "Remember you are not alone in this....God is with you."
After 5 p.m. "Rest in Peace" messages began appearing.
"Sonia...why you?" one person wrote. "I guess God needed an Angel like you!!! I hope the person that did this to you will never be allowed to walk in the face of the earth again and find cruelty within the Jail when caught."
As they have since her disappearance, messages appeared from friends and strangers alike.
"It seems the entire community...are thinking of you during this very difficult time," one woman wrote. "My heart has been hurting the minute I found out about this and feels even worse with the terrible news. I hope that you take some comfort in these messages of support and wish there was more we could do. Sending love, courage and warm thoughts to all of your family."
tamara.cherry@sunmedia.ca
