Nearly three decades later, family seeks answers in Sonya Cywink’s death
Meggie Cywink can’t help but believe someone out there knows something that could help solve her sister’s murder.
“To live without my sister for 28 years is heartbreaking,” she said Thursday. “It is very hurtful. She should have been a grandmother by now, she could have been a mother, and we miss her dearly.”
Cywink was joined at a news conference by retired OPP Sgt. Chris Gheysen, and retired OPP deputy commissioner John Carter. They were two of the investigators who originally worked on the homicide of Sonya Cywink.
Sonya was 31 years old and 24 weeks pregnant when she was killed. She was last seen alive at Dundas and Lyle streets in London on Aug. 26, 1994.
Her body would be found four days later at Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site in Elgin County, the site of the Thursday news conference.
“It just makes sense too, over time some people might be less fearful of retaliation, and more open to talk about what they know,” remarked Gheysen.
Meggie Cywink (C) was joined by retired OPP Sgt. Chris Gheysen (L) and retired OPP Deputy Commissioner John Carson (R) on Aug. 25, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)In 2019, the victim’s family and supporters embarked on a campaign to unearth new clues about what happened to Sonya.
They put out a call for any information they could get from the public that might be helpful. Some new information did come forward that they believe to be relevant, which has been shared with the OPP.
They’re hoping renewing the call could result in new breaks in the case.
“I hate to call them cold cases, I like to call them long cases because they’re never cold,” said Carter. “But, advances in technology, one person coming forward can make a difference,” he added.
The OPP is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of the killer. The family is offering an additional $10,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or reach out to Meggie directly at cywinkmm@outlook.com
In the meantime, a ‘FIND MY KILLER’ billboard with Sonya’s image has been erected at Dundas Street and Nightingale Avenue, while a second one will go up at another location next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.