'The more we dig, the more we're finding': The ongoing uncertainty of the McArthur investigation

The ongoing police excavation at a north Toronto property where alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur worked has introduced more uncertainty about when the investigation might end, the lead detective said Friday.

For the second consecutive day, police uncovered more human remains at the Mallory Crescent home where McArthur landscaped before his arrest in January. 

Det.-Sgt. Hank Idsinga said the body parts were buried about one metre beneath the surface soil in a forested ravine that butts up against the back of the property. Cadaver dogs identified multiple spots within the ravine that police will need to dig through. 

"There could be more remains found, whether there are more victims out of those remains is another question. The remains that we're finding, they may belong to the seven victims whose remains we've already uncovered," Idsinga said in an interview on CBC Radio's Metro Morning. 

You can listen to full interview below.

Earlier this year, police discovered body parts belonging to seven men believed to have been killed by McArthur. He has been charged with eight counts of first-degree murder, however.

"We have an eighth victim whose remains we have not uncovered. They may belong to him, they may belong to completely new victims, we just don't know yet," Idsinga said. 

Police searched some 100 different properties tied to McArthur's landscaping business with canine units, but only the Mallory Crescent property was excavated. The most recent dig is technically the fourth search of the site, Idsinga said.

In a rare move on Thursday, Idsinga invited media cameras into the ravine to get a look at the ongoing police operation. The decision was made in part to prevent camera crews from attempting to shoot the dig site from a CN Rail track at the base of the ravine. 

It was also an attempt to show the public the kind of work police are doing to "unravel some answers" about McArthur and his victims. 

"It's painstaking work, and it's very labour intensive and it is actually fascinating to watch," Idsinga said. ​

"The more we dig, the more we're finding. We'll see where we end up."

Until the work at the site at Mallory is finished, it's impossible to project when the investigation might wrap up.

"We're not going to leave any stone unturned," Idsinga said. "It may end in the ravine at Mallory if we don't find any further remains. It may end with cold case investigations.

"And once we clear all of those, we will get on with the court process."