OPP seek public help with 21-year-old Rockwood cold case
Posted Aug 20, 2026 03:44:49 PM.
Last Updated Aug 20, 2026 03:44:15 PM.
Nearly 21 years after initially being discovered dead, the cold case of British Columbian Tammy Penner’s death has been brought back to public attention by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Police published a release on Aug. 20, in which they state they are once again seeking information surrounding the investigation into Penner’s death, deemed by OPP investigators as “suspicious.”
The cold case
On Aug. 28, 2005, members of the Wellington County Detachment of the OPP responded to the discovery of human remains located at a wooded Highway 7 picnic and rest area between Rockwood and Guelph.
An investigation led OPP to believe that the dead female had been dragged a short distance into the woods approximately a month before the discovery of her remains. A Woods brand sleeping bag covered the body when she was found, with her also being dressed in clothing purchased in the Montreal area.
OPP investigators say they have yet to determine the woman’s cause of death. A post-mortem examination revealed that prior to her death, she had suffered fractures to her left cheekbone, nose and left eye socket.
In 2022, the Rockwood case was submitted for investigative genetic genealogy testing, which helps investigators identify DNA patterns that can lead to identification of a victim’s family tree.
In April 2024, a presumed identification was found that allowed investigators to discover living family members. DNA of one of those family members led to the identification that she was Tammy Eileen Penner, from Chilliwack, B.C.
Penner, who was 41 at the time, had been reported missing to the RCMP in February 2005. An investigation found that between her disappearance and the discovery of her remains, she had travelled from B.C. to Ontario, stopping at Ontario’s Midland Mall on June 30, 2005.
Investigators say that on or around July 30 of that year, a transport truck driver may have dropped Penner off at the since closed Husky Truck Stop in Mississauga at Highway 401 and Dixie Road. Soon after being dropped off, Tammy was seen near a cream or beige coloured transport truck.
OPP say she may have been wearing a beige tank top and black corduroy shorts while carrying a blue sleeping bag at the time.
Police are particularly interested in the period in which Penner was at the Mississauga truck stop, and thus the OPP are asking anyone who may have information about her movements at that time to contact them.
“The identification of Tammy with the assistance of investigative genetic genealogy was an important step, but many questions remain unanswered,” Randy Gaynor, Detective Inspector with the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Branch said of the still developing cold case. “We’re asking anyone who remembers seeing Tammy to please come forward, no matter how insignificant the information may seem. Her family has waited many years for answers and our investigative team remains committed to uncovering the truth and providing them with resolution.”
In 2008, the Rockwood Knights of Columbus created a memorial for Penner, who had originally been known as “Rockwood Jane Doe.” The memorial continues to be maintained by an anonymous member of the public 18 years later.
Images of the Tammy Penner memorial located in Rockwood, ON (Courtesy of OPP)
The Wellington County OPP is conducting the investigation, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
