Police in Peel region have arrested a 22-year-old man hours after finding the body of a 31-year-old Mississauga woman.
Karina Neff was found Tuesday just after noon by patrol officers in a wooded area of Windy Hollow Park, in the Erin Mills Parkway and South Millway neighbourhood of Mississauga. Her body had obvious signs of trauma and police say they believe she was involved in an altercation before she died.
The woman was last seen at around 10 p.m. on Monday after leaving her family home to take the dog for a walk. The dog returned home but Neff never did. The woman was intellectually challenged, police say.
Her family released a statement through Peel police, asking the media for privacy.
"We are a very close family and find ourselves in a state of shock," the statement said.
"Karina Neff was a ray of sunshine and saw the good in everyone and everything. 'She was our little angel on earth', as her mother would say. She was a loving and caring daughter, sister and friend and we will miss her every minute of the day."
Neff and the suspect had an on-and-off dating relationship, police say. However, investigators don't know if the two were dating at the time of her death.
Neighbours of the family were saddened by the news and several people went to the park to erect a makeshift memorial in Neff's memory.
"She always had a smile for everyone," said Neff's neighbour Bill Garland.
Alicia Thelwell, a friend from school said she's sad to have to say goodbye.
"It makes me upset," she said. "I wish she didn't have to go like this."
Police have charged Mississauga resident Jason Osborne with first-degree murder. He is expected to make a court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Brampton.
This is Peel region's 16th homicide of the year.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Matet Nebres
