Human remains found in Markham, Ont. in 1980 belonged to prison escapee: police
More than 44 years after human remains were found in a rural area of Markham, Ont., police are revealing that the deceased was an inmate who had escaped prison just a month before his body was found.
York Regional Police made the revelation public in a news release issued Friday, saying investigators identified the remains of 26-year-old Toronto resident William Joseph Pennell on April 3, 2023.
Prior to Friday’s news release, the identity of the remains found by a Markham resident on July 16, 1980 were a mystery.
According to police, Pennell had spent time in several correctional institutions for a variety of criminal offences and was arrested for armed robbery and attempted murder on June 30, 1979 while out on parole.
After he was charged, Pennell was “immediately” sent to the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont.
William Joseph Pennell is seen in this undated image. (York Regional Police)
Police said Pennell admitted to his role in the crime to his case officers, but said there were at least two other people involved in the robbery, and refused to implicate them as he believed his life was in danger.
Pennell was convicted of the robbery in April 1980. Two months later, he escaped from prison. To this date, no detailed records about the escape have been located.
While the details of his escape remain unclear, police said Pennell told a friend he intended to flee to South America. Police believe that was Pennell’s last contact before his death.
Pennell’s cause of death was never determined, but investigators believe foul play was involved.
Police exhumed Pennell's body in 2007
For 43 years, York Regional Police tried to identify the remains found on the side of Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues, but struggled due to the state of decomposition.
Initially, investigators used forensics to determine that the remains belonged to a white man, between the ages of 25 and 40 years old, who stood five-foot-six inches tall and weighed between 100 and 120 pounds.
It wasn’t until 2007 that cold case investigators exhumed the body to complete a facial reconstruction analysis and collect DNA.
“The following year, a DNA profile was developed and uploaded to the national DNA database, however, there were no matches,” police wrote.
Then, in 2021, investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to find relatives of the deceased. Pennell was identified two years later.
Police say the investigation into Pennell’s death is ongoing and they’re looking to speak with additional friends and associates of the 26-year-old to understand what happened following his 1980 prison escape.
Police say William Joseph Pennell's remains were found on July 16, 1980, on the side of the Eleventh Concession, between 14th and Steeles avenues. (York Regional Police)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
BREAKING Baby pronounced dead following 'suspicious incident' in Toronto's midtown area
A baby has died after a 'suspicious incident' in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood, police say.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
EV battery manufacturer Northvolt faces major roadblocks
Swedish electric vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt is fighting for its survival as Canadian taxpayer money and pension fund investments hang in the balance.
'I'm sure Randy can answer': Liberal MPs defer to Boissonnault, PM Trudeau amid resignation calls
As the Indigenous claims controversy surrounding Randy Boissonnault continues to unfold, his colleagues are deferring questions about the embattled cabinet minister to him, and the prime minister.
Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
U.S. woman denied parole 30 years after drowning 2 sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake
A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison 30 years after she killed her sons by rolling her car into a South Carolina lake while they were strapped in their car seats.
Leon's, The Brick under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing'
Popular furniture and appliance retailers Leon's Furniture Limited and its subsidiary, The Brick Warehouse LP, are under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing.'