Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed that remains found in a wooded area in Caledon Sunday morning, near where a woman has been missing, are in fact human.
Constable Jonathan Beckett of the OPP's Caledon detachment said the remains were discovered in a forest on the north side of a secluded road, about 10 kilometres from Orangeville, by a resident out for a walk shortly before 9 a.m.
A coroner arrived on scene earlier Sunday and determined that the remains are human. An area near the site of the discovery remained cordoned off by police.
"The OPP forensic identification unit is presently on scene and is assisting with this ongoing investigation," said Beckett. "The identity and sex of the individual will not be released pending the results and positive identification of the deceased person."
Police said a post-mortem would be conducted at the office of the chief coroner in Toronto in the coming days.
The discovery comes six days after 42-year-old Orangeville resident Sonia Varaschin was reported missing after she failed to turn up for work Monday morning. Her blood-stained white Toyota Corolla was discovered later that day in a laneway in downtown Orangeville. Police later found a trail of blood surrounding her townhouse.
Orangeville is about 80 kilometres northwest of Toronto.
Beckett said the OPP contacted the Varaschin family Sunday regarding the discovery of the human remains. The family has asked for privacy, he added.
On Friday, police issued a public appeal asking for residents to keep an eye out for blood-soaked bed sheets they believe were taken from her home. They also asked the public to try to recall whether they saw anyone with unexplained blood on their clothing or shoes on Monday.
Police said they believe Varaschin was alone at the time she was likely attacked, and was taken from her home in her own car.
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