Police are warning the public not to touch articles of clothing in or around the Pine Hills Cemetery in the east end as they could be related to a sexual assault investigation.
A woman was sexually assaulted and beaten so badly she lost consciousness at the cemetery near Kennedy Road and St. Clair Avenue East Monday. The brazen attack happened around 5pm.
The victim, 61, had been visiting her mother’s grave and was walking along a paved path when a man with a long ponytail approached, dragged her into the bushes and attacked her. When she came to nearly five hours later she managed to walk to a nearby building and ask for help.
She was transported to hospital, where she is now in stable condition.
On Wednesday, authorities said the woman’s clothing – including dark-coloured track pants, a dark-coloured T-shirt and running shoes – may have been disposed of at or around the scene of the crime.
The attacker is described as:
- White
- Between 30 and 40 years old
- Skinny build
- Shoulder-length ponytail
Investigators are asking members of the public refrain from touching the items, should they come across them. If you spot the clothes, call police at (416) 808-7474 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS.