Four decades after the murder of a 17-year-old girl, police are still searching for her killer.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) has interviewed witnesses, followed up on tips, and used new and varying techniques over the 40 years, but the murder investigation of Donna Jean Awcock remains open.
"Donna's family has been missing her everyday for 40 years. They deserve to know what happened to her," said OPP CIB Detective Inspector Randy Wright.
Awcock was reported missing on October 13, 1983. She had reportedly been babysitting the night before and, after an early morning stop at a convenience store, she never returned home.
The teenager was 5'3", approximately 105 pounds, with a slim build and blonde, shoulder length hair. She lived with her parents at an apartment on Cheyenne Avenue (known now as Oakville Avenue) in London.
Awcock's body was found at approximately 5:15 p.m. on October 14, 1983 on 4th Concession. This was about two kilometres from her home, near the banks of the Thames River, just west of the Fanshawe Dam.
She had been strangled to death.
"Someone out there knows something about this case, even the smallest detail could help. We urge anyone with information to step forward and help bring resolution to Donna's family and friends," Wright said.
Police have used a billboard, a ground display, and bus ads to draw attention to the case. Two billboards are located on Clarke Road and Oxford Street East and Clarke Road and Atlantic Crescent. The ground display is located at the intersection of Huron Street and Clarke Street.
"It's been 40 years since Donna was murdered," Awcock's sister Tammy Dennett said. "We continue to fight for justice. Any information you may have could help identify her killer. Please, be her voice," she added.
The Ontario government is offering a reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
