It looks like Police will be holding a news conference today to announce that the remains of Tori Stafford have been found. Although this finally provides closure for the family and friends of the little girl it crushes the hopes and prayer that Tori may be alive waiting to be found.
The remains were found close to Mt.Forest about 65kms from the area that convicted accomplice Terri-Lynne McClintic led the police to.
It's was a lucky break for the police as one of the officers drove down the 6th concession of Authur township based on a hunch, he then made the sad discovery of Tori's remains.
Michael Rafferty, 28, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, both of Woodstock, are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the disappearance.
Police wouldn't say if the remains were found buried or on the ground, or which officer found them.
But OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino confirmed to Sun Media the officer was OPP Det.-Sgt. Jim Smyth, a 21-year veteran of the force.
Smyth, who works in the OPP's polygraph and behavioural sciences unit, said he hopes the little Woodstock girl's family finds some peace. "It's an unfortunate situation but hopefully it brings some relief to her family."
Fantino praised Smyth and others for their hard work.
"He is like all of the police officers on this case who worked extra hard and never left any stone unturned," Fantino said. "There was no luck involved -- this was planned and deliberate police work with a group of people led by Det.-Sgt. Smyth, who were following up every lead and re-tracking in certain areas.
"He will tell you himself it's not an individual thing, but a situation where police and the public from all over participated in trying to find her," Fantino said.
Police will hold a news conference later today where they are expected to confirm the the remains of Tori Stafford have been found.