Missing Toronto woman Tess Richey’s death now a homicide: police

Toronto police are investigating the death of a missing woman as a homicide, and say she died of “neck compression.”

Tess Richey, 22, was found dead on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in an abandoned building near Church and Wellesley streets, four days after she disappeared.

Police said a post-mortem exam shows she died from “neck compression,” but wouldn’t elaborate more on the nature of the injuries Friday evening. The homicide unit has taken over the investigation.

Authorities had initially said Richey’s body had no visible signs of trauma and that they didn’t believe the death was suspicious.

Police spokesperson David Hopkinson told Global News they had initially thought it was an accident, and that the investigation is in it’s preliminary stages.

1:23 Body of missing Toronto woman discovered

Her sisters told Global News last week it was out of character for her to run off or cut off contact with loved ones.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

They said the last form of communication they received from her was just after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday through a fitness tracking device.

 — with files from David Shum