Police identify remains of Hamilton woman missing for 2 years, say death was homicide

Nearly two years after she was last seen in Hamilton, investigators say they've identified the remains of Monica Chisar and determined her death was a homicide.

Provincial police say Chisar's body was found on Christmas Eve2019 by a father and son walking through a rural, wooded area near Highway 6 and Southgate Road 10.

That location is about 130 kilometres from the intersection of Parkdale Avenue North and Barton Street East where she wasspotted on July 11, 2018,according to Staff Sgt. Jim Callender with Hamilton police.

Callenderprovided some detail on the background of the case in a video shared by the OPP Tuesday.

"Monica didn't have an extensive history in Hamilton, but did have a wide circle of associates in the Greater Toronto Area and in Kitchener," he explained while standing at the very same corner.

"Monica was known to be a traveller and had just returned home from Europe prior to her disappearance."

Chisar's family reported her missing in September 2018after she stopped posting on social media and they began to fear for her wellbeing, Callender added.

Hamilton police suspected foul play and provided several media updates asking for help in their search, describing her as someone with a somewhat bohemian,"unconventional lifestyle."

"She would be fairly carefree," Det. Sgt. Dave Oleniuk told media in March 2019. "She would go on extended trips and stay with friends."

Sometimes Chisar would disappear for a while. But "she'd call from other places, other countries, and touch base with family," Oleniuk added at the time.

In the video update shared Tuesday OPP Det. Inspt. Scott Moore said the father and son who stumbled upon the remains immediately contacted police.

Officers carried out an "extensive search of the area for evidence," he explained.

The remains weretransported to the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service in Toronto where examination determined Chisar's identity and that her death was a murder, Moore added during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators are not revealing how she died.

Moore said he would not comment on the events that led the woman to the area, but acknowledged she had a "wide circle of associates" she was known to travel with.

A 'shock' for the family

Police have been in close contact with Chisar's family since her disappearance, he added.

"The news that this is a murder investigation and that Monica has died certainly came as upsetting news to them and a shock to them."

Chisar was 29 when she disappeared. Police say shewas5'7 feet tall and170 pounds with green eyes and reddish-brown hair.

"The OPP's Criminal Investigations Branch is hoping your tips will help them solve this case," states the tweet sharing the video.

Anyone with information is asked to call the dedicated tip line at1-855-677-4636.

"We welcome any information we can get from the public," said Moore. "However insignificant they may believe it is, it may be a large contributing factor to our investigation."