More than 21 years after a woman was found deceased near Rockwood, police are renewing their appeal for information about her last known sighting.
On Sunday, August 28, 2005, members of the Wellington County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of human remains located in a wooded picnic/rest area on Highway 7 between Rockwood and Guelph. It is believed the deceased, identified as a female, was dragged a short distance into the wooded area approximately a month prior to the discovery of her remains. A ‘Woods’ brand sleeping bag was covering the female, who was wearing clothes purchased in the Montreal area. Though the cause of death remains undetermined, investigators have deemed her death suspicious.
Further examination determined that prior to her death, she had sustained fractures to her left cheekbone, nose and left eye socket that had healed. As a result, she wore a two-tooth partial denture to replace missing upper teeth.
In 2022, the case was submitted for investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) to help determine her identity. In April 2024, a presumptive identification was established and used to locate living family members. A family member’s DNA was used to confirm the identity of the deceased as Tammy Eileen PENNER of Chilliwack, British Columbia.
Tammy, who was 41 years old at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Monday, February 7, 2005. She had been living in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, British Columbia, prior to travelling to Ontario.
During her journey from British Columbia to Ontario, Tammy attended the Midland Mall in Midland, Ontario, on Thursday, June 30, 2005. On or around Saturday, July 30, 2005, a transport truck driver may have dropped her off at the now closed Husky Truck Stop on Highway 401 and Dixie Road in Mississauga. Tammy was seen near a cream- or beige-coloured transport truck shortly after being dropped off. She may have been wearing a beige tank top with black corduroy fabric shorts, carrying a blue sleeping bag. Investigators are asking anyone who saw Tammy during this time or has information about her movements to contact police.
The Rockwood Knights of Columbus created a memorial in honour of Tammy. It continues to be maintained by a member of the public. The OPP acknowledges and appreciates the compassion and dedication demonstrated by those who have cared for this memorial over the years.
“The identification of Tammy with the assistance of investigative genetic genealogy was an important step, but many questions remain unanswered. We’re asking anyone who remembers seeing Tammy to please come forward, no matter how insignificant the information may seem. Her family has waited many years for answers and our investigative team remains committed to uncovering the truth and providing them with resolution,” says Detective Inspector Randy Gaynor, OPP CIB.
The Wellington County OPP is conducting the investigation, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
