This individual was recently confirmed to have been identified. Some details may change as more information is released publicly.
William Joseph Pennell was a man found deceased in Ontario in 1980. Women's clothing located at the scene had led investigators to believe he was transgender. There is no information available, currently, if Pennell had identified as anything other than male; the reason behind the presence of feminine clothing at the scene is unconfirmed.
He was identified by Othram in April 2023, and his identity was released in November 2024.
Case
Detective Douglas Clark of York's Police Department had stated that the victim was almost certainly a homicide victim of infamous “hedonistic” serial killer named James Henry Greenidge from Gravenhurst, Ontario.
In 2009, a lead regarding the possible match between the decedent and a man who had been missing from Ontario as of December 1977, Mario Palermo, was investigated by Detective Clark on behalf of York Police, as referenced above. Subsequent DNA analysis had been performed, revealing that the match had proven negative, and has therefore since been ruled out.
Identification
In April 2023, the decedent's identity was confirmed as William Joseph Pennell. Pennell had a long criminal history, which included an armed robbery and attempted murder, for which he was arrested for on June 30, 1979, and sent to the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston. Pennell stated two other people were involved, but did not identify them out of fear of his own safety.
In April 1980, Pennell was convicted of robbery, but escaped prison on June 13, 1980, having told a friend he was fleeing to South America, which is believed to have been the last point of contact before his death.
Despite being identified in April 2023, his identity was not released until a year-and-a-half after his identification in November 2024.
Characteristics
- Medium to dark brown hair, about four inches long.
- The decedent was of slim build with "poorly" developed muscles.
- Some dental fillings and missing teeth. The decedent also had stains on their posterior teeth consistent with that of smoking cigarettes.
Clothing and accessories
Note: The clothing found was in the vicinity of, but not on, the body.
- Woman's red shirt.
- White ribbed, frilled socks.
- Red or pink high heels with a flap and bow.
- Women's blue jeans, Brittania brand, with a 29" inseam and 30" waist.
- A powder compact with a mirror.
Gallery
