GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Police still don’t know how she died, but they have determined the identity of the woman whose body was found near Rockwood nearly 20 years ago.
Her name is Tammy Eileen Penner of Chilliwack, B.C., and her identity was determined using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) – a technique that involves uploading a crime scene DNA profile to genetic genealogy databases to identify offenders or victims within their family tree.
Police announced the discovery in a press release on Aug. 23.
It was Aug. 28, 2005 when a pedestrian discovered human remains while walking in a wooded picnic/rest area on Highway 7, between Rockwood and Guelph.
An investigation began under the direction of the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), with support from the Wellington County OPP, the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
At the time, the remains were identified as female, and it was believed she was dragged a short distance into a wooded area approximately a month prior to the discovery, the release states.
A ‘Woods’ brand sleeping bag covered the deceased, who was wearing clothes purchased in the Montreal area. Though the cause of death remains undetermined, investigators deemed her death suspicious.
Rockwood Knights of Columbus set up a memorial at the site for the then-unidentified woman. Submitted photo
Further examination determined that, prior to her death, she had experienced a broken left cheek, nose and left eye socket that had healed. As a result of these injuries, the deceased wore a two-tooth, partial plate on her upper teeth.
In 2022, CIB investigators submitted the case for IGG use in an attempt to determine her identity and in April 2024, a presumptive identification was established and used to locate living family members.
A family member’s DNA was used to confirm that the deceased female was Penner.
She was 41 years old when she was reported missing to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Feb. 7, 2005.
She had been living in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, B.C., prior to her disappearance. Investigators believe someone had contact with her during her journey from British Columbia to Ontario.
The Rockwood Knights of Columbus created a memorial for Penner at the site, which has been maintained by a member of the public.
“The OPP appreciates the compassion and dedication of these individuals to Tammy’s memorial,” officials state in the release.
The investigation continues, police say.
“Thanks to ongoing investigative efforts, including the use of investigative genetic genealogy, the OPP has been able to identify Tammy after so many years,” states OPP CIB detective inspector Randy Gaynor.
“There is more to be done – Tammy’s family is desperate to find out the circumstances that led to her death. If you know anything, please contact police to help provide resolution to her loved ones.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
