Long-standing Investigation Leads to a Sombre Closure and Court Proceedings
Nipigon, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has disclosed the recovery of the remains of Alyssa Turnbull, a Nipigon resident who mysteriously disappeared over three years ago. The revelation brings a gloomy closure to the relentless search for Alyssa, who was last seen in Nipigon between March 23 and 25, 2020, at the age of 26.
Discovery of Remains
On October 25, 2023, Alyssa’s remains were unearthed in a secluded area of Kaministiquia, west of Kakabeka Falls. The nature surrounding her disappearance and demise has been confirmed as suspicious.
Charges Laid
Earlier, in June 2022, two individuals, Nick Soos, 29, and Brian Soos, 61, were apprehended and charged in connection with Alyssa Turnbull’s disappearance. They are slated to appear in court next on November 3, 2023, with charges under the Criminal Code including:
- Committing Indignity to a Body (Section 182(b)): This charge is applied when an individual improperly interferes with, or offers an indignity to, a dead body or its remains, without lawful justification. The offence can lead to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
- Obstruct Justice (Section 139(2)): This charge is incurred when an individual willfully attempts to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice in judicial proceedings. The offence carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
Ongoing Investigation
The in-depth investigation spearheaded by the OPP North West Region Crime Unit, guided by the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch and in alliance with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, continues to unravel the circumstances surrounding this case. It’s noteworthy that an individual believed to be linked to Alyssa Turnbull’s death has also passed away.
OPP Superintendent Darryl Sigouin extended condolences to Alyssa’s family and the community, stating, “On behalf of the OPP, I want to express condolences to Alyssa’s family and the community. While this is not a happy ending, her family has some measure of resolution and can now give this young woman the funeral and burial she deserves. I also want to thank the investigation team for the years they dedicated to finding Alyssa and bringing her home.”
