8 Year Old Victoria “Tori” Stafford Missing Since 4/8/09 in Ontario, Canada

[Northern Rose]

Remains are Victoria's
Identified through dental records
Posted 6 mins ago
 

WOODSTOCK — OPP have confirmed that the remains found Sunday afternoon in Mount Forest are those of Victoria "Tori" Stafford.

It could be up to a week until further forensic examination is complete, says OPP Insp. Bill Renton.

Renton said that Victoria was identified through dental records by the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto.

He told reporters that police can not speak to the cause of death.

"We can bring Victoria home," Renton said, adding that police will continue its investigation and prepare for court.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino offered his deepest sympathy to Victoria's family, adding that we are all grieving for Victoria.

http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1665683

[Northern Rose]

Remains ID'ed as missing girl, 8


WOODSTOCK, Ontario, July 21 (UPI) -- Dental records confirmed a child's remains found on the weekend in Ontario were those of an 8-year-old girl missing since April, police said Tuesday.

At a news conference in Woodstock, Ontario Provincial Police officials said the decomposed remains found in a rural farm area Sunday were those of Victoria Stafford.

She was last seen in a security video leaving school with a young woman April 8.

The Canwest News Service said court documents show police suspect the girl known as Tori was killed within 24 hours of her abduction.

More than 100 police officers from the Oxford Community Police and OPP worked on the search and investigation, which led to the arrests of Michael Rafferty, 28, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 19, May 19 on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges.

Police will not say what led to the arrests so as not to jeopardize prosecution. They said they notified the girl's parents Monday night of the pathologist's findings.

Detective-Inspector Bill Renton told reporters forensic work is continuing and the telephone tip line for investigators will remain open.

Trials for the accused aren't expected to begin until next year, report said.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/21/Remains-IDed-as-missing-girl-8/UPI-91971248183013/

[Northern Rose]

Dental records needed to identify remains found in rural Ontario were those of Tori Stafford
(CP) – 21 minutes ago

WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Police say dental records were needed to confirm that remains found Sunday are those of missing Woodstock, Ont., girl Tori Stafford.

The eight-year-old girl was last seen on almost 3 1/2 months ago as she left her school with a dark-haired woman in Woodstock, Ont.

Ontario provincial police Det. Insp. Bill Renton told a news conference in the southwestern Ontario city that he could not comment on a cause of death.

He said an examination of the remains is continuing at Toronto's Centre of Forensic Sciences and that it could take a week or longer to complete.

Renton, the lead investigator in the Stafford case, said the next step for police is to prepare for court.

Two Woodstock residents, Terri-Lynne McClintic and Michael Rafferty, are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death and disappearance of the girl.

Their trials are not expected to begin until sometime next year.

Oxford community police Chief Rod Freeman said the discovery of Tori's remains "helps us in a big way in bringing this case to court." He said the court case will then be followed by a "long healing process."

Freeman said the community has gone through a "terrible, terrible experience" and the discovery of Tori's remains "brings us a little bit closer to closure" and some sense of relief to her family.

Provincial police Commissioner Julian Fantino offered "deep regrets" to Tori's family and the community as they grieve the loss of a child.

A chronology of events related to the April 8 disappearance of Victoria (Tori) Stafford in Woodstock, Ont.:

April 8 - At approximately 3:30 p.m., Tori goes missing after leaving Oliver Stephens Public School in Woodstock, Ont.

April 8 - 6 p.m.: Oxford community police are notified about Tori's disappearance.

April 9 - 3 a.m.: Local media receive first news release about Tori.

April 9 - 6 a.m.: Information about Tori's case sent to more media outlets.

April 9 - Police release grainy security video showing Tori walking away from school grounds with mystery woman in a white puffy coat.

April 10-11 - More than 200 residents join 40 officers from multiple police forces in ground search.

April 12 - Candlelight vigil held for Tori.

April 13 - Police call off ground search. New version of video is released after technicians clean up the image.

April 14 - Counsellors called in to Tori's school to help her classmates as they return from Easter break.

April 15 - Tori's mother, Tara McDonald, questions why Oxford police are not calling her daughter's disappearance an abduction.

April 17 - Police reclassify Tori's disappearance from a missing person case to an abduction investigation. Ontario Provincial Police take lead in the case.

April 18 - Provincial police team equipped with side-scan sonar scour waterways in Woodstock.

April 21 - Police release a composite image of mystery woman seen walking with Tori in surveillance video.

April 25 - Tori's disappearance is briefly featured on the America's Most Wanted television program.

April 28 - McDonald relates story of limousine ride to Toronto to meet an anonymous donor willing to pay any ransom that might be asked for her daughter's safe return.

April 28 - Oxford community police announce a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever was responsible for Tori's abduction.

May 2 - Family organizes charity motorcycle ride called "Tori's Ride Home" to raise money for trust fund.

July 18 - Tori's father, Rodney Stafford, announces plans for a 3,400-kilometre bicycle ride to Alberta to honour his daughter and to raise money for Child Find Ontario.

July 20 - Remains found in rural area near Mount Forest, Ont., thought to be those of Tori Stafford

July 21 - Ontario provincial police confirm that remains found near Mount Forest, Ont., are those of Tori.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ghBHSpKDc54NWMEsafYYGCmINHkw

[pink angel]

Too many monsters molesting and killing too many innocent children. This is every bit becoming a pandemic. Way more harmful and deadly than the latest FLU. One that isn't being covered on the nightly news or being paid enough attention by our governments that are suppose to be "for the people".

Who is protecting our children?


Bless you little Tori. You are safe with God now.

[pink angel]

Thank you for all the updates Northern Rose. ::hugs::

[no rose colored glasses]

Too many monsters molesting and killing too many innocent children. This is every bit becoming a pandemic. Way more harmful and deadly than the latest FLU. One that isn't being covered on the nightly news or being paid enough attention by our governments that are suppose to be "for the people".

Who is protecting our children?


Bless you little Tori. You are safe with God now.

I couldn't agree more with you, so frustrating. Beautiful little girl, some comfort for her family to at least bury her properly.

[Northern Rose]

McClintic may get plea bargain in Stafford murder
680News staff Woodstock  | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 5:48 pm

Woodstock - The lawyer representing the 19-year-old woman charged in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford said a plea bargain may be suitable in this case because she says her client, Terri-Lynne McClintic, assisted police in their investigation.

McClintic's lawyer, Jeannine E. LeRoy, told 680News, " It's done almost in each and every case that comes before the criminal court.  It is a normal, regular and appropriate occurrence."

McClintic and Michael Rafferty are each charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Stafford's death.

on Tuesday, the OPP confirmed that remains of a child found in a farmer's field near Mount Forest are those of 8-year old Tori Stafford.

  http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20090721_174732_7712

[Northern Rose]

(xx)UPDATE(xx) Victoria Stafford Abduction and Murder Investigation
    Police Confirm Identity of Found Remains are Victoria Stafford

    WOODSTOCK, ON, July 21 /CNW/ - Ontario Provincial Police Detective
Inspector Bill Renton of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), lead
investigator for the Victoria Stafford abduction and murder case briefed the
media today during an early morning news conference held at the Oxford
Community Police Service headquarters. Detective Inspector Renton announced
that the found human remains recovered yesterday in a rural location in the
area of Mount Forest (Concession 6 and 2nd Side Road of Arthur Township) had
been confirmed by the Centre of Forensic Sciences to be those of Victoria
Stafford who was abducted on April 8, 2009 while leaving her school in the
City of Woodstock Ontario.
    Detective Inspector Renton was joined by Police Chief Rod Freeman of the
Oxford Community Police Service and OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino to confirm
the investigative findings and to express their condolences to the Stafford
family and to the community of Woodstock.
    During the conference, Detective Inspector Renton also stated that
investigators are continuing their search for the missing cloth covered rear
seat of a 2003 Honda Civic. Anyone who believes to have any knowledge on the
whereabouts of this seat is asked to contact the Victoria Stafford "TIP LINE"
at 1-866-825-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
    Detective Inspector Renton would also like to take this opportunity to
thank everyone in the community and in the media for their ongoing efforts and
support to assist the investigative team throughout this investigation. The
investigation is continuing.

    Information about this case can be found on the OPP Missing Persons and
Unidentified Bodies website at www.opp.ca or at
www.oxfordcommunitypolice.on.ca or America's Most Wanted at www.amw.com or
www.rogerstv.com/gmw


http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2009/21/c7752.html

[Northern Rose]

Thank you for all the updates Northern Rose. ::hugs::

You are welcome. 

[pink angel]

McClintic may get plea bargain in Stafford murder
680News staff Woodstock  | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 5:48 pm

Woodstock - The lawyer representing the 19-year-old woman charged in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford said a plea bargain may be suitable in this case because she says her client, Terri-Lynne McClintic, assisted police in their investigation.

McClintic's lawyer, Jeannine E. LeRoy, told 680News, " It's done almost in each and every case that comes before the criminal court.  It is a normal, regular and appropriate occurrence."

McClintic and Michael Rafferty are each charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Stafford's death.

on Tuesday, the OPP confirmed that remains of a child found in a farmer's field near Mount Forest are those of 8-year old Tori Stafford.

  http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20090721_174732_7712

McClintic's lawyer couldn't have issued a no comment and kept their mouth shut on the day that this little one is officially identified? No, they are bragging about what a helpful person their client is. The person that lead Tori to last hours on earth.

Unconscionable and disrespectful!

Shame on them!

[Sister]

McClintic may get plea bargain in Stafford murder
680News staff Woodstock  | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 5:48 pm

Woodstock - The lawyer representing the 19-year-old woman charged in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford said a plea bargain may be suitable in this case because she says her client, Terri-Lynne McClintic, assisted police in their investigation.

McClintic's lawyer, Jeannine E. LeRoy, told 680News, " It's done almost in each and every case that comes before the criminal court.  It is a normal, regular and appropriate occurrence."

McClintic and Michael Rafferty are each charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Stafford's death.

on Tuesday, the OPP confirmed that remains of a child found in a farmer's field near Mount Forest are those of 8-year old Tori Stafford.

  http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20090721_174732_7712

A plea bargain -- they've got to be kidding!  Unfortunately, they're not kidding!

[no rose colored glasses]

No surprise there would be a plea bargain for McClintic 

[cookie]

No surprise there would be a plea bargain for McClintic 

exactly! she didn't give them an indication of where to look out of the goodness of her heart or out of guilt...it was to try to get the best deal for herself! She is as guilty as he is..she is the one who took Tori like a little lamb to slaughter! jmo....grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

[Tracygirl]

My heart just breaks when I think of what this poor child must have endured. Poor little girl. 
I am thankful they found her body and can at least be laid to rest properly. prayers for her family, especially her mother, father and brother. May they always feel support and love from their community.

Tori RIP beautiful girl. 

[Tracygirl]

McClintic may get plea bargain in Stafford murder
680News staff Woodstock  | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 5:48 pm

Woodstock - The lawyer representing the 19-year-old woman charged in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford said a plea bargain may be suitable in this case because she says her client, Terri-Lynne McClintic, assisted police in their investigation.

McClintic's lawyer, Jeannine E. LeRoy, told 680News, " It's done almost in each and every case that comes before the criminal court.  It is a normal, regular and appropriate occurrence."

McClintic and Michael Rafferty are each charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Stafford's death.

on Tuesday, the OPP confirmed that remains of a child found in a farmer's field near Mount Forest are those of 8-year old Tori Stafford.

  http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20090721_174732_7712

McClintic's lawyer couldn't have issued a no comment and kept their mouth shut on the day that this little one is officially identified? No, they are bragging about what a helpful person their client is. The person that lead Tori to last hours on earth.

Unconscionable and disrespectful!

Shame on them!

Unbelievable! Just crazy!

[Northern Rose]

McClintic may get plea bargain in Stafford murder
680News staff Woodstock  | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 5:48 pm

Woodstock - The lawyer representing the 19-year-old woman charged in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford said a plea bargain may be suitable in this case because she says her client, Terri-Lynne McClintic, assisted police in their investigation.

McClintic's lawyer, Jeannine E. LeRoy, told 680News, " It's done almost in each and every case that comes before the criminal court.  It is a normal, regular and appropriate occurrence."

McClintic and Michael Rafferty are each charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Stafford's death.

on Tuesday, the OPP confirmed that remains of a child found in a farmer's field near Mount Forest are those of 8-year old Tori Stafford.

  http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20090721_174732_7712

McClintic's lawyer couldn't have issued a no comment and kept their mouth shut on the day that this little one is officially identified? No, they are bragging about what a helpful person their client is. The person that lead Tori to last hours on earth.

Unconscionable and disrespectful!

Shame on them!

Unbelievable! Just crazy!

McClintic had days of exclusive helicopter rides, meals, private car rides and could not show them the site.  I still say the uncle would be given 10 minutes with each of them.

[Tracygirl]

yep, 10 minutes should have been enough! Can I ask a question, I cannot recall, do they believe he sexually assualted Tori? Is that was the girlfriend said?

[Northern Rose]

yep, 10 minutes should have been enough! Can I ask a question, I cannot recall, do they believe he sexually assualted Tori? Is that was the girlfriend said?

They have only said that McClintic got Rafferty a girl and that Tori more than likely was murdered very shortly after she was abducted.  Rafferty was charged with abduction and murder. McClintic was charged with abducting Tori, assisting Rafferty in escaping the area and being an accessory to murder after the fact. Nothing more has been said yet.

[Northern Rose]

Tori joins heartbreaking list of slain Ontario children
By Patrick Maloney, Sun Media

Last Updated: 21st July 2009, 6:18pm


WOODSTOCK - Christine Jessop. Holly Jones. Cecilia Zhang. Victoria (Tori) Stafford There's a heartbreaking list of slain Ontario children whose names are all but unforgettable, forever synonymous with lost innocence.

The province's top cop is sure the slain Woodstock girl loved ones called 'Tori' has been added to it.

"This is one of those cases that's going to be long remembered," OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said after arriving here yesterday to applaud investigators and offer condolences to Tori's family.

"(But) there is no pattern (to those crimes). The only pattern is the vulnerability of children, how evil lurks out there and how they are preyed upon," said Fantino.

Though two people have been charged with Tori's death, several people, including some family members, have been critical of the investigation.

Fantino, however, said critics add nothing to the work of police.

"There's always not only critics, but people second-guessing," he said. "Not to be overly sensitive, but most of our critics have never undertaken such a Herculean task. Our critics sometimes just don't have a clue."

Fantino also defended the work of the Oxford Community Police, the local force that led the probe into Tori's disappearance until the OPP took over 10 days after Tori's April 8 abduction.

While the OPP made several key changes immediately - calling the case an abduction and resuming a suspended ground search - Fantino says that shouldn¹t reflect poorly on the local force.

"They were doing everything in their power and all that they could do to deal with a very complex and (growing) investigation," he said. "When (the OPP) came in, there was a meeting of the minds . . . and an evaluation of where the investigation was at."

Rod Freeman, the new Oxford chief, told reporters yesterday he hopes the city can start recovering from what's been a "terrible, terrible experience." Freeman is taking over from Ron Fraser, who announced his retirement not long after two Woodstock residents, Michael Thomas Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic, were charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the Stafford case.

"I'm sure we'll go through what will be a long healing process," Freeman said.

Asked if forensic testing has yielded any evidence of a sexual component to the crime, Fantino said "there's still forensic testing going on . . . (and) even if we knew, we wouldn't be in a position to comment." Fantino credited police officers, civilian staff and the media for their efforts throughout the investigation.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/canada/2009/07/21/10213556-sun.html

[Northern Rose]

Tori Stafford: Accused's neighbours aloof

Tue, July 21, 2009

By PATRICK MALONEY
THE LONDON FREE PRESS
 


WOODSTOCK — There are few signs of activity at the family home of Michael Thomas Rafferty, where a knot of cobwebs has even formed over the doorbell.

And as for the reality that they lived so close to the man accused of killing Victoria (Tori) Stafford, neighbours aren’t touching that, either.

It’s clear residents of Tennyson Street — many of whom spoke openly right after Rafferty’s May 20 arrest — now find the matter radioactive.

“I just don’t feel like talking about it right now,” one man said Tuesday, holding his front door open slightly. “It’s affected all of us.”

He was one of several Tennyson residents who declined to discuss the connection to Rafferty, charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping along with an ex-girlfriend.


One woman said the situation is “very creepy.”

Rafferty’s former next-door neighbours were also tight-lipped, shouting over a fence they had no comment.

“We don’t want to say anything,” a woman said. “There’s nothing to say.”

That reaction is no surprise to Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding, who suggested that aside from Tori’s neighbourhood, the enclave where Rafferty lived may be feeling the most pressure. Some news reports, Harding noted, have unfairly described Tennyson as a “rough” area.

“(That) reflects poorly on them and their children,” Harding said.

In another part of town, the estranged grandmother of co-accused Terri-Lynne McClintic says it’s been difficult since her family name was connected with charges — though she’s only had one negative experience.

“I just had one prank phone call, at night,” Nancy McClintic said. “A man said, 'this is Santa Claus and may you rot in hell you son of a bitch, and ho, ho, ho.’ It scares you.”

The mayor was defensive of the coverage of the whole community in the wake of eight-year-old Tori’s disappearance and death, admitting he’s concerned how outsiders now view the Friendly City.

“I think people (here) know this one horrible act doesn’t define who we are,” he said. “Bad people live everywhere and they don’t wear a sign.”

Harding says the unflattering media attention paid to the city’s drug woes — one report singled out the unusual sight of a methadone clinic in such a small city — has been especially troubling.

The clinic, whose central downtown location he admits is a problem, is, in fact, a sign of the city’s progressive response to drugs, Harding said.

“I don’t know why the 905 or 416 press delight in the fact that small towns have the same problems they do.

“We are no more under the thumb of drugs — OxyContin in particular — than any other community. (But) I think our police are very, very concerned.”

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2009/07/21/10212856.html