Police reopen investigation into 1972 death of Ontario Indigenous teen

“We’re looking at it with a view that this young lady died at this location and not all the information fits, so we’re having a second look at it,” the officer said in a telephone interview.

Anderson, who hailed from a rural area east of Sioux Lookout, was last seen on Oct. 11, 1972, at a local restaurant, Depratto said. While she worked a number of jobs in the area, she was at the business that night solely as a patron, he said.

Depratto said the investigation at the time revealed that Anderson was last seen leaving the restaurant at around 1:30 a.m. in a pickup truck with two men. Her injured body was found lying on the shoulder of a road hours later.

The coroner’s office of the day ruled that Anderson died as the result of a motor-vehicle accident and did not treat the death as suspicious, Depratto said.

One of the men seen leaving the restaurant that day was initially charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident, but never stood trial after the charge was dismissed due to lack of evidence, Depratto said.

Anderson’s death went unchallenged for decades, but her family continued to have many unanswered questions, Depratto said.

When the federal government established Family Information Liaison Units across the country two years ago, which were specifically designed to help Indigenous families gain information about their female loved ones who may have been killed or gone missing, Anderson’s relatives came forward.

Depratto said the unit then asked provincial police to re-examine their files, adding it wasn’t long before officers grew skeptical of previous findings.

“The injuries were very traumatic,” he said. “And when we started looking at the scene, the location of where this accident could have occurred, and inconsistent statements, we started following up a bit more.”

Ontario Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer re-examined his office’s 1972 ruling in the case and officially reclassified Anderson’s death, Depratto said, adding it’s now viewed as “undetermined” rather than “accidental.”

Depratto said police are still seeking answers as to what happened to Anderson and are appealing to members of the public for answers.

“Sometimes on these cold files, people will have changed their relationships with the parties involved and they’re more forthcoming,” he said. “We’re hoping that that works this way.”

Anyone with information about Anderson’s death is encouraged to call an OPP tip line at: 1-807-738-5296

Michelle McQuigge , The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Police reopen investigation into 1972 death of Ontario Indigenous teen

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