Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
![Woman found in Lake Ontario Toronto police discovered the identity of a woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/22/woman-found-in-lake-ontario-1-6896245-1716391067564.png)
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Police announced the new development in the seven-year-old cold case on Wednesday.
On August 10, 2017, officers responded to a call for unknown trouble at Humber Bay Shores Park in Etobicoke, Ont. at 5:15 p.m.
The woman was discovered wearing a red tank top and navy blue pants with no identification or personal possessions.
Police released an artist’s rendition of the woman, describing her as white, 44 to 70 years old, five-foot-four to five-foot-six inches, 135 to 150 pounds with brown eyes and short gray hair.
Investigators launched a Canada-wide missing person case and made public appeals to identify the woman, but no leads surfaced.
Then, in January 2023, Toronto police began using investigative genetic genealogy, which revealed that the unidentified woman had distant relatives in North America, most of whom had heritage that traced back to a specific region in Switzerland.
In August 2023, Toronto police with the assistance of the RCMP reached out to police in the European nation, and began focusing their investigation on a woman who went missing from there in September 2017.
A DNA comparison between the deceased woman found in Lake Ontario and relatives of the missing person in Switzerland confirmed that the cases were a match.
Swiss police notified the woman’s family of their discovery. Toronto police said they are not releasing the woman’s identity because her death was not a criminal matter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6937501.1719090117!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi wins Alberta NDP leadership
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi will replace Rachel Notley as the Alberta NDP leader after receiving 86 per cent of the vote on the first ballot.
Woman found dead alongside three relatives remembered as selfless, caring mother
A woman who was found dead alongside three of her family members at a home in rural southwestern Ontario this week is being remembered as a selfless, caring mother who worked tirelessly for her community.
Accessibility uproar after Olds, Alta., woman with cerebral palsy threatened with $5K fine for using mobility aid
An Olds, Alta., woman with accessibility issues is speaking out against the town after local bylaw officers informed her she would receive a $5,000 fine if she was caught using her mobility scooter on any street, sidewalk or pathway in town.
B.C. First Nations involved in salmon farming demand apology from William Shatner, Ryan Reynolds
A coalition of B.C. First Nations involved in open-net salmon farming have called on Canadian actors William Shatner and Ryan Reynolds to apologize for a profanity-laced video criticizing the wider industry.
OPINION If Dolly Parton can be cancelled, we're in serious trouble
The person most unlikely to be cancelled in U.S. history — iconic American singer, songwriter and actress, Dolly Parton — has been caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture.
Man trying to drown two children on Connecticut beach is stopped by officers, police say
A man trying to drown two small children at a Connecticut beach early Saturday morning was thwarted by police officers, according to authorities.
Vehicle involved in inter-provincial missing child investigation located in Saskatchewan
The vehicle which is believed to be involved in an inter-provincial missing child investigation has been located in Saskatchewan.
Toddler, 40-year-old identified as victims in deadly quadruple shooting in Vaughan, Ont.: police
A toddler and a 40-year-old were killed in a quadruple shooting at a Vaughan, Ont. residence Friday morning, as police announce an arrest in what they're describing as a 'targeted' incident.
'Happy Bday M8!': William meets Taylor Swift backstage at London show
Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to London’s Wembley Stadium on Friday with some famous faces in the audience, including the Prince of Wales and two of his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.