Forensic investigators combed an Orangeville park Tuesday after the blood-spattered car belonging to a missing woman was found in a nearby alley.
Police found the Toyota Corolla belonging to Sonia Varaschin in an alley near Broadway Street at 10 a.m. Monday, the same day the 42-year-old woman's family reported her missing after she failed to show up for work.
Police also found blood inside and outside the woman's Spring Street home, which is located about half a kilometre from where her car was found.
Varaschin's next-door neighbour, Cindy Downey, had her windows open but didn't hear anything unusual.
"It's definitely pretty shocking that something random like this can happen in such a small little subdivision," Downey said.
Orangeville police and the Ontario Provincial Police are working together on the investigation. They have set up a dedicated tip line: 519-941-2522, extension 2211.
"We're going to leave no stone unturned," said OPP Const. Jonathan Beckett. "We have a specialized team of investigators who are on scene."
More than 80 officers are searching for Varaschin, a nurse who once worked at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. OPP helicopters and canine units are also helping with the search.
Orangeville police have set up a dedicated tip line at 519-941-2522, ext. 2211. Tips can also be called in to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or emailed to police from the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch website for unsolved cases at www.opp.ca.
Investigators are concerned for Varaschin's safety and are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward. Varaschin is described as standing 5'1" and weighing 125 lbs. She has brown hair with light-coloured streaks.
With files from The Canadian Press and reports from CTV Toronto's Alicia Markson and Michelle Dube