Ontario Provincial Police is renewing calls for information in the unsolved homicide of Rachel Russell, nearly 20 years after the 28 year old Cobourg woman was found dead near a rail spur east of Ontario Street.
Police say Russell’s body was discovered on November 12th, 2007 along a commonly used pathway between Ontario and Division streets. A postmortem examination later determined she died from blunt force trauma and investigators believe she was killed sometime in late October.
Detective Inspector Brian McDermott with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch says the case has remained deeply personal for investigators and the Russell family.
Rachel Russell’s case is now included in the OPP’s newly released Missing and Unsolved Murdered Indigenous People report, which highlights unresolved cases involving Indigenous victims across Ontario.
Family members say Rachel’s memory remains deeply present in their lives.
Rachel’s sister Shelly describes her as outgoing, energetic and social.
Another sister, Cindy, says the passage of time has not diminished the pain surrounding the case.
Cindy says in a video (Seeking Answers: The Unsolved Death of Rachel Russell) released by OPP investigators that the family still struggles with not knowing what happened to Rachel.
Investigators say they continue pursuing leads and believe members of the public may still hold important information.
Police say a $50,000 reward remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for Rachel Russell’s death.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumberland OPP or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
