London

23 years later, police seek new leads in Sonya Cywink homicide

Twenty three years since Sonya Cywink's body was found, police continue to search for new leads they hope will lead to finding her killer.

A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction

Sonya Nadine Cywink was found dead on Iona Road in the Township of Southwold, Elgin County, in August 1994.
Sonya Nadine Cywink was found dead on Iona Road in the Township of Southwold, Elgin County, in August 1994. There is a $50,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her death. (Ontario Provincial Police)

Twenty three years since Sonya Nadine Cywink's body was found, police continue to search for new leads they hope will lead to finding her killer. 

Cywink was 31 years old when her body was found at the Southwold Earthworks, a historical site that was a former First Nation settlement located on Iona Road in the Township of Southwold, Elgin County.

She was last seen alive in London near the intersection of Dundas and Lyle streets at approximately 2 a.m. on Aug. 26, 1994. Her body, found six days later, had signs of trauma. 

She was from the Whitefish River First Nation, near Manitoulin Island, but she lived in London at the time of her death. She was an avid writer and the second-youngest of 13 siblings.

The Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate Cywink's death. A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death. 

Const. Adam Crewdson told CBC News this remains an active homicide file. 

"There are people that were involved with Sonya that might know information," he said Wednesday. "It has been 23 years, however, it all depends on who's involved and if they come forward and give information to police.

"We're still going to make the effort and hope we get more leads to further the investigation."

Anyone with information about Cywink's death is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit a cyber tip at www.londoncrimestoppers.com.