Decades-Old Mystery of William Pennell’s Remains Resurfaces

York Regional police are currently appealing for information regarding the decades-old case of William Joseph Pennell, a man identified as having escaped from a Kingston prison in 1980. His remains were discovered along a rural road in Markham 44 years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that police connected the dots.

The Discovery

On July 16, 1980, a local resident stumbled upon human remains on the Eleventh Concession, sparking an investigation that would span over four decades. Initially, forensic tests indicated the remains belonged to a white male aged between 25 and 40, but the state of decomposition made identification impossible at that time. It wasn’t until 2007 that the cold case unit decided to exhume the remains for further analysis.

Modern Techniques Uncover the Truth

Fast forward to 2021, when investigators applied investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). This innovative approach led them to identify relatives of the deceased, and by April 3, 2023, they confirmed that the remains belonged to Pennell, who was just 26 when he died.

A Life of Crime and Mystery

Pennell had a tumultuous past, with multiple stints in correctional institutions for various offenses. After escaping on June 13, 1980, he reportedly expressed intentions to flee to South America. Unfortunately, his life was cut short just a month later, with foul play suspected in his death.

Now, investigators are hoping that friends and associates from Pennell’s life can help them piece together the timeline between his escape and the discovery of his remains. They are relying on public assistance to finally close this cold case. If you have any information, you’re encouraged to reach out to the York Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.

Stay tuned for more details on this case, which will be featured in the upcoming episode of Tracking a Killer: The Cold Case Files Podcast Series airing on November 15.