Originally Posted by
Ottawa Sun Newspaper Online
Murder in heartland
Gang rumours spread after 8 bodies found
SHEDDEN -- Eight men were found dead inside four vehicles discovered yesterday a few hundred metres from each other on a tract of southwestern Ontario farmland in what is believed to be the province's worst mass murder.
The startling discovery earlier yesterday raised the spectre of a underworld battle, as police took the unusual step of bringing in a covered transport truck to remove the vehicles with bodies in tow under the cover of darkness. They were to be taken to the coroner's office in Toronto.
"I've never seen (a case) where they've taken the vehicles together," OPP Const. Doug Graham said.
'I'M ASTOUNDED'
The discovery shocked residents of Shedden, a quiet village about 30 km southwest of London known as Ontario's rhubarb capital.
Stan Lidster, the 60-year-old deputy mayor, said the murders had the markings of organized crime.
"At least, myself, I'm astounded eight bodies were found in Southold Township," Lidster said. "It's got to be an organized crime."
Police were not disclosing many details about the bizarre crime scene, and refused to confirm reports that the men had been shot to death.
"We're not in a position to reveal how they were murdered," OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor told a news conference about eight hours after the bodies were found by the property owner at about 8:30 a.m.
"I won't confirm at this point what the persons were killed by."
Surrounding Elgin County has a history of biker activity. Several motorcycle clubs have been active in the area, including the Loners, the Bandidos and the Hells Angels.
In separate incidents in 1994 and 1998, the bodies of a man and a woman were found in the area. Neither murder was ever solved.
Here's what police revealed and Sun Media learned yesterday:
- The bodies of eight Caucasian men were found inside several vehicles about 8:30 a.m. by a resident of the area, just west of St. Thomas and south of Hwy. 401.
- It's unclear which bodies were found where.
- One vehicle contained four bodies, sources said.
- One car, an Infinity, was parked about 10 metres off the road on the western edge of a 10-hectare (25-acre) woodlot.
The body of a large, heavyset man clad in a dark sweatshirt, striped pants and white running shoes was visible in the hatchback of that car.
Another car was parked further east, just off the road.
The plates on that car indicated it is registered to Avis Car and Truck Rentals in Etobicoke. An official there would not disclose who rented the car. The third car was hooked up to the tow truck, parked at the side of the road between the two other cars.
The tow truck at the scene bore the company name, Superior Towing, from Etobicoke.
A person who answered the company's phone confirmed a driver and truck were missing, but knew no other details.
"We're not too sure what's going on," said the man, who refused to disclose the driver's name.
FEW CLUES
Residents could offer few clues.
"I heard the dog barking at 3 a.m.," said Roy Brown, who lives at the corner of Mill Road and Stafford Line. "I just figured it was some animal."
As soon as the discovery was made, police blocked both ends of the road and investigators began scouring the property.
Neither Ontario's coroner nor the Attorney General's office would comment.
Police, whose cruisers blocked the road well into the evening, stopped cars to ask drivers what they had seen.
No more details were to be provided until a news conference slated for this morning.
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