An Acton resident who has maintained a roadside memorial for a former Jane Doe in Rockwood is hoping the family will experience some closure now that her identity has been discovered.
Announced Friday morning, the identity of a Jane Doe discovered at a rest stop on Highway 7 in Rockwood on August 28, 2005, was revealed to be Tammy Eileen Penner of Chilliwack, BC, who was reported missing to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in February 2005.
Thanking the Rockwood Knights of Columbus for creating a memorial for Penner in 2008, the OPP news release also acknowledged the "compassion and dedication" of individuals like Acton resident Keith Porty who has maintained the memorial since 2019.
Learning the news via a call from OPP detective inspector Randy Gaynor earlier this week, Porty said the announcement came as a shock because while he'd "always hoped" she would be identified, "as time went on it seemed like more of a long shot."
"It is so good to finally put a name to the poor soul that has been unidentified since 2005. It's also a sombre day when you consider the family that has not known what happened to her, thinking of her every day," said Porty. "Although it's still a sad day, I hope they finally find some closure and realize she was not forgotten."
OPP Strategic Communications Officer Agata Czajkowski said it was important the OPP "acknowledge the gesture of this individual for maintaining the memorial over the years" and ensure Porty learned her identity had been discovered.
Calling Porty's actions "a wonderful gesture from the community," Czajkowski said Penner's family has shared they were "really touched" by Porty's dedication to the site.
Looking to the future, Porty said he hopes there's a way to include Penner's name on the memorial stone and he intends to continue visiting the site.
Giving his kudos to the police "that never gave up and anyone else that assisted the investigation," Porty thanked the Knights of Columbus for placing the memorial stone, which he credits with igniting his interest in the case and spurring his upkeep of the site.
"I'm looking forward to not maintaining the Rockwood Jane Doe memorial, but the Tammy Eileen Penner memorial," said Porty.
The investigation into Penner's death is ongoing.
Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
