ORANGEVILLE, Ont. - Police investigating the murder of an Orangeville woman are hoping to hone in on her killer by collecting voluntary DNA samples from men who either knew Sonia Varaschin or came in contact with her before she died.
Provincial police Const. Peter Leon wouldn't say Tuesday exactly how many men will be asked to provide a cheek swab in the latest phase of their investigation, but detectives have identified a number of men who crossed paths with the 42-year-old nurse.
"Investigators do believe the DNA that has been found could very well identify the person responsible," Leon said. "The message though that should be understood and this is directed specifically to the killer is 'We have your DNA and it's only a matter of time before we find out who you are."'
Police will provide more details about their plan to collect DNA samples at a news conference Wednesday.
Varaschin was reported missing Aug. 30 after she failed to show up at work and her blood-stained Toyota Corolla was found in an alley. Police also found blood inside and outside her home.
Her remains were discovered in a wooded area a few days later in Caledon, about 12 kilometres from Orangeville.
Police have previously said the killer wore a men's size 10 or 11 Wind River or Dakota brand name boot sold only at Mark's Work Wearhouse.
Police expect the DNA collection from men who were 18 years or older at the time of her death will last for several weeks. The samples will be taken to Toronto's Centre of Forensic Sciences for testing to determine if there's a match.
DNA samples that are ruled out will be destroyed and those men will be notified in a letter, police said.
Police also asked that the public notify them if someone suddenly moves or exhibits strange behaviour following the announcement of the plan to collect DNA samples.
If the men refuse to provide a sample, "there's probably a reason why they don't want to participate in this voluntary procedure," said Leon. Unless they have something to hide, there's no reason not to provide a sample, he added.
The men will be allowed to contact a lawyer before undergoing the procedure, police said.
Michael Briere's refusal to provide a sample to Toronto police during their mass DNA canvass during their investigation into the 2003 sex-slaying of 10-year-old Holly Jones helped police focus their investigation on him.
Briere was arrested just over a month after the girl was abducted, sexually assaulted, murdered and dismembered. He later pleaded guilty to killing her.
