Back in the mid 1980’s, I knew Margaret McWilliam through my wife at the time. They had both gone to Kemptville Agricultural College at the same time and studied in the same program. After they graduated, and Angela moved back to the Toronto area, Margaret and Angela kept in touch.
Although I did not know Margaret well, I knew Angela was fond of her and enjoyed her friendship with Margaret. So it was a big shock when we learned that Margaret had been murdered in the Warden Woods area of Toronto. It hit Angela pretty hard at the time. Around the same time, Paul Bernardo was doing his evil things and had become known as the “Scarborough Rapist” but his identity at the time was not yet known. There was a lot of speculation that Margaret had become a victim of the “Scarborough Rapist,” but Bernardo was apparently ruled out as a suspect by the police.
Her murder in August of 1987 has remained a mystery to this day, almost 32 years later.
While doing some research on some other things that occurred in the Warden Woods area, I came across an article that had been published in 2016, about the case. Apparently, the police now have the DNA of the person responsible for the murder.
It seems though that they have no match yet. Thirty two years is a long time for a murder to go unsolved, and even if the police are ever to solve the case of who is responsible, the person has not faced justice for all these years, while the friends and family of Margaret have mourned her loss.
According to the South Bayview Bulldog (linked to, above), “Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant leads the Homicide Cold Case section at (416) 808-7400.”
There is probably not much point at this time to appeal for any witnesses or persons that might have knowledge of the crime to come forward, but perhaps someone who knows something but has withheld the information will feel some remorse. Perhaps the killer, if he/she is still alive, will them self come forward and take responsibility for the evil that they have done.
Margaret was a friend of mine. We were born 3 days apart. Our mothers shared the same maternity ward. Margaret was a bit of a miracle baby, as she was rh+ while her mother was rh-; back then the doctors didn’t have the techniques to deal with this. Yet she was born and survived. We grew up together in the same small town. Margaret was an “old soul”; she was more mature, settled and calm than the rest of us. She was quiet, warm and kind. She loved to help people. She was a good person, innocent and trusting. She was a serious, church-going. She did not date in high school. I’m certain when this happened to her she was a virgin. The poor kid! Of all people, she did not deserve to die this way!!! I still think of her and so do her closest friends. May there be justice within the lifetime of the perpetrator and most of all within the lifetime of her parents. Margaret, we have never forgotten you.
The Real Person!
Thanks so much for your posting your comment here, Laura. It was very nice to read of your memories of Margaret. I did not know her well – but through my wife at the time, where they both attended the same college program. I recall the same sense about Margaret though, the times I would be in her company – warm and very kind!
I met Margaret at work when she first moved to Toronto. I worked at night so I saw her every morning when she covered the front desk at 8 am. I only got to know her briefly, but she left a positive and lasting impression on me. I often think of her. I have one question. How could anyone brutally murder an angel?
After all these years I think the only hope of catching Margaret’s killer is a DNA match through Genealogy. This was how they eventually linked Calvin Hoover to the murder of Christina Jessop. At this point appealing to witnesses or hoping someone will come forward is fruitless. I do hope one day they catch her killer and give her family and friends the closure/answers they need and deserve. May Margaret RIP.
Margaret was in my grade in high school and I remember clearly my shock and sadness that summer day I found out she had been murdered. As year after year goes by, I google her name from time to time in the hopes that eventually the police will solve her murder, perhaps through genetic genealogy, as they did with Christine Jessop’s murder. Hopefully, hopefully one day….
The Real Person!
Thanks for your comment, Lisa – yes those are sad memories and hopefully one day, they will catch her killer.
It’s now mid 2024 & DNA & Genealogy has been around for quite some time so forgive me but I can’t comprehend why the cold case investigators haven’t already looked into this avenue as a way to catch Margaret’s brutal killer . It’s time !! It’s way overdue & god only knows how many more murders has this killer committed in the years that he has been free to walk the streets because after watching a documentary about this case it is clear from Margaret’s fatal injuries that her killer is a brutal sadistic sexual predator that in my opinion has probably not been able to quell his murderous sexual sadistic tendencies for all these years . Poor Margaret from what I seen on the documentary was such a young quiet inexperienced & truly innocent of victims , she didn’t deserve to leave this world suffering in the way that she did . It’s heartbreaking & I can’t even imagine what her poor parents have had to suffer too for all these years knowing that her killer still hasn’t been brought to justice for his evil wicked deeds . I pray for their sake & for the sake of justice & humanity that the investigators invest the time & money in going down the DNA genealogy route & bring this case to a conclusion once & for all . R.I.P Margaret McWilliams sweet lady . 🙏 GBNF .