Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have identified a man killed in a Toronto crash 38 years ago as a missing person from London, Ont. The victim, whose name has not been released pending family notification, died in a single-vehicle collision on March 12, 1988, on Highway 401 near Toronto. At the time, investigators were unable to determine his identity due to the severity of the crash and lack of identification.
Breakthrough through advanced DNA technology
The case remained cold for decades until OPP cold case investigators partnered with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and a private DNA laboratory. Using advanced forensic genealogy, they matched DNA from the victim to a missing person report filed in London, Ont. in 1988. The man had been reported missing by his family after he failed to return home from a trip to Toronto.
“This identification brings closure to a family that has waited nearly four decades for answers,” said OPP Detective Inspector Chris Avery in a statement. “We hope this resolution provides some peace to his loved ones.”
Details of the crash and investigation
The crash occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. on March 12, 1988, when a vehicle left the highway and struck a concrete barrier near Keele Street. The driver, the sole occupant, died at the scene. Investigators found no wallet or personal documents, and fingerprints did not match any known records. The body was buried in an unmarked grave in Toronto.
In 2023, OPP reopened the case as part of a project to identify unknown remains. Exhumation and DNA extraction led to a genealogical match with a family in London, Ont. The family had reported the man missing in April 1988, but the report was not linked to the crash until now.
Impact and ongoing efforts
The identification highlights the power of modern forensic techniques. OPP say they are reviewing other unidentified remains cases using similar methods. “We encourage families of missing persons to provide DNA samples to help solve these cases,” Avery added.
The victim’s family has been notified and is planning a proper burial. Police have not released the man’s name at their request.
