 Whoever murdered nurse Sonia Varaschin wasn’t a stranger, Ontario police now say. (HANDOUT)
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ORANGEVILLE, Ont. - Investigators are one size 10 or 11 step closer to identifying Sonia Varaschin's killer, a man they believe likely knew the former nurse.
Orangeville police and the OPP announced Wednesday that investigators now know what the murderer wore on his feet the night he ended the 42-year-old woman's life, after the discovery of some boot prints at one of the three crime scenes.
And they are hopeful the tidbit garnered from forensic evidence will help them crack the case.
"Once again, we are reaching out to the public with what we believe is a key piece of information," said OPP Det.-Insp. Mark Pritchard.
He added it's believed the killer wore a size 10 or 11 Wind River or Dakota-style work boot -- brands of footwear sold exclusively at Mark's Work Warehouse, which has a store in Orangeville.
An assortment of similar boots, in brown and black, were on display for the media Wednesday. Exactly what style and colour the killer wore the night of the murder remains a mystery, but Pritchard pointed out the boots have a distinctive tread.
However, he refused to say if the boot prints were found inside Varaschin's Spring St. townhouse where it's believed she was murdered in the wee hours of Aug. 30, at nearby Alexandra Park where her blood-smeared car was found later that day, or in the wooded area in Caledon, Ont., where her body was located on Sunday.
"We believe that Sonia's killer is very familiar with Orangeville, with the outskirts of Orangeville, Sonia's neighbourhood, Sonia's townhouse and potentially even Sonia herself," Pritchard said. "I don't believe this was a random event."
Pritchard also offered new information about the night of the slaying, explaining there were no signs of forced entry at the home, but investigators also don't believe Varaschin opened the door for her killer.
He refused to elaborate on whether that meant the killer had his own key or that the door was unlocked.
Pritchard said police are looking at "a number of persons of interest." Anyone with information, can call a tip line at 519-941-2522, ext. 2211, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
"This community and Sonia's family needs to have this crime solved," Pritchard said.
Residents of Orangeville are frightened knowing the killer remains on the loose.
"I'm scared to be by myself," said Amanda Leliever, who lives in town but didn't know Varaschin. "She's gone and the person that did it is still out there."
The victim's family was too distraught to talk about the loss of their loved one.
"We're still in shock," said Viv Varaschin, the dead woman's brother.
He added his family was encouraged by the news police now have something to go on in their search for his sister's killer.
Orangeville Police Chief Joseph Tomei vowed his officers will "work around the clock" until the murderer is locked up.
chris.doucette@sunmedia.ca
