Police identify girl found in Toronto dumpster last year

Toronto police have identified the young girl whose remains were found in a dumpster over a year ago as four-year-old Neveah Tucker. The breakthrough in the case was announced during a news conference led by Insp. Hank Idsinga from the homicide unit. The investigation will continue to determine the circumstances surrounding Neveah’s death and the disposal of her body.

Neveah’s remains were discovered in a construction dumpster near Castle Frank Road and Dale Avenue in May 2022, a few weeks before her fifth birthday. An autopsy conducted shortly after the discovery could not determine the cause of death, and it remains unknown to this day. While the case has not been classified as a homicide, the possibility has not been ruled out, and the investigation will progress accordingly.

Police utilized a composite sketch and genetic genealogy to identify Neveah. The combination of a tip from the community and genetic genealogy played a crucial role in her identification. The tip, although not highly specific, pointed investigators in the right direction and contributed to the progress of the case.

Moving forward, police will be speaking to family members as part of the investigation. The disposition of the remains will depend on the outcome of these interviews and whether any social agencies or family members come forward to claim them. The investigators hope to gather further information in the coming weeks.