Remains found in Southgate identified as belonging to Hamilton woman

Police have identified remains found in Southgate on Christmas Eve to be those of a Hamilton woman who died as a result of a homicide.

Following a forensic examination, the remains found in the area of Southgate Road 10 east of Highway 6 have been identified as belonging to Monica Chisar.

Members of the Grey-Bruce OPP and Forensic Identification Services, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch are continuing to investigate the homicide with the assistance of the Hamilton Police Service Major Crime Unit.

Det.-Insp. Scott Moore of the OPP Criminal Investigations Branch said police believe the remains had been at the location in Southgate for quite a period of time.

“We are not able to comment on the synopsis of events that led her from Hamilton to Southgate Township, or what connections she may have had in Southgate Township,” Moore said Tuesday. “I can tell you that Monica had a wide circle of associates in the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener and Hamilton and was known to travel extensively.”

When asked if they have any suspects in Chisar’s disappearance, Moore said there are a number of aspects of the investigation that are providing evidence for police to follow. They are hoping members of the public with information will come forward to help bring the case to a successful resolution for Chisar’s family.

Chisar was last seen in Hamilton on July 11, 2018, and was reported missing by her family in September 2018. She had been dropped off in a parking lot at Barton Street East and Parkdale Avenue North just after midnight, it said in a news release.

In a video released about the investigation, Staff-Sgt. Jim Callender of the Hamilton Police Service, said Chisar had just returned homes from Europe prior to her disappearance.

“It was unusual for her to suspend her social media activities, which led to her family being concerned for her well-being and reported her missing in September 2018,” Callender said

The Hamilton Police Service Major Crime Unit began an investigation into her disappearance due to the possibility of foul play, Callender said.

In the same video, Moore said a man and his son were walking in a wooded area off Southgate Road 10 in Southgate on Christmas Eve when they discovered what they believed to be human remains. They immediately contacted police.

“The OPP Criminal Investigations Branch began an investigation into the discovery of the remains, leading to an extensive search of the area for evidence,” Moore said.

The area, which police blocked off for several days late last year, is located just southwest of Holstein and north of Mount Forest.

It is heavily wooded and swampy along a section of Southgate Road 10 that is posted “no winter maintenance.” It is located near a private body of water that locals call Mud Lake.

Chisar was 29-years-old at the time of her disappearance. She was five-feet, seven inches tall and weighed 170 pounds. She had green eyes and shoulder-length reddish-brown hair.

Anyone with information into the murder of Chisar is asked to call the dedicated OPP tip line at 1-855-677-4636. Crime Stoppers can also be contacted at 1-800-222-8477, while a web tip can be sent to www.cstip.ca.

“It is important that the public understands that no information is insignificant or too small for us to look at,” Moore said. “Everything is helpful.”