Human remains found in Chelmsford

UPDATE

On April 29 and 30, 2024, members from Patrol Operations, Rural Community Response Unit, K9 Unit and the Criminal Investigation Division assisted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) K9 cadaver dog and handler completed a ground search in the wooded area, West of Marion Street in Chelmsford.

Officers thoroughly searched a 100-foot radius around where the original skeletal remains were found. Officers located additional remains within the radius. All the remains located are believed to belong to the same individual.

Officers have concluded the ground search in the area and are clear of the scene.

Detectives in the Major Crime Section and Forensic Identification Unit of our Criminal Investigation Division are working in collaboration with the Coroner’s Office, a Forensic Anthropologist, the Centre of Forensic Science and subject matter experts to determine the identity of the individual, the cause of death and the length of time the remains were in the wooded area. An update will be provided once more information is available.

We would like to thank the public for the cooperation and patience while officers were examining and searching the scene.

ORIGINAL

Around 5:30 p.m. on April 28, 2024, officers were dispatched to the area of Marion Street in Chelmsford after a community member located what was believed to be human skeletal remains. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed that what had been located are human remains.

Officers are on scene in a remote wooded area West of Marion Street in Chelmsford. Over the next few days, there will be an increased police presence in the general area while the scene is being examined and officers conduct a ground search. 

The identity of the deceased, the length of time the remains have been in the wooded area and the circumstances of the death have yet to be determined. Detectives from the Major Crime Section of our Criminal Investigation Division will be working in collaboration with the Coroner’s Office, the Centre of Forensic Science and subject matter experts to determine the unknown.      

We ask that the public remain away from the wooded area West of Marion Street until we have completed our investigation in the area. An update will be provided once officers are clear of the scene.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-8477.