Empty DNA databank thwarts probe into 1975 Nation River slaying

A DNA profile of a woman whose body was found floating in eastern Ontario's Nation River in 1975 has brought police closer to identifying her. Now a private member's bill could result in a federal law that would help investigators take the next step.

Ontario Provincial Police Det. Insp. Phil George said the DNA profile is half of what police need to figure out who was the womanthat some callthe Nation River Lady.

"Now I just need the other side of the equation," he said. "The profile doesn't really assist me in identifying her unless I have somebody to compare the DNA sample to."

The private member's bill, sponsored by Burlington, Ont.,Tory MP Mike Wallace, calls for establishment of a DNA database of missing persons andsimilar DNAdatabase of unidentified bodies that could be matched with one another.

"I think as a government we have a responsibility," Wallace said. "If we have the ability to help people, particularly in finding loved onesmissing persons [we should] step up to the plate and make that happen."

The bill was sent for study to the Commons committee on public safety and national security, which recommended on April 24 that the government consider bringing in legislation toestablish missing persons and human remains DNA databases afterthe idea has been discussed by federal, provincial and territorial officials between now and this fall.

According to the RCMP, more than 10,000 Canadians have been reported missing and thereare311 unidentified bodies in morgues and graves across the country.

The Nation River Lady's body was found by a farmer in 1975 in the river about 60 kilometres east of Ottawa.

The woman, who had webbed feet,was clad only in an undershirt and carried no identification.A television cable was wrapped around her neck, her feet were bound with neckties and a tea towel was wrapped around her face. Police believe she was thrown from the eastbound lanes of Highway 417.

The OPP criminal investigation branch reopened her case in 2005.