Brantford police say they have solved a nearly four-decade-old investigation into the disappearance of Mary Hammond.
Police identified the man they say is responsible for her abduction and murder,
and it’s all thanks to advancements in DNA analysis.
Larry Hammond last saw his wife Mary before she left to walk to work at a bakery on Morton Avenue in the early morning hours of September 8, 1983, they had only been married four months.
Larry Hammond has waited 39 years to find out what happened to his wife. He along with members of Mary’s family joined Brantford police today to announce who they believe is responsible.
Stephen Mudko died back in 2010 but police say Mudko would be facing first-degree murder and abduction charges if he were still alive. Mudko had been looked at by police during the initial investigation but there wasn’t an evidentiary link at the time.
A key piece of evidence collected during a search of Mudko’s home in 1983 was saved until an advancement in mitochondrial DNA analysis several years ago allowed that evidence to be re-examined.
“The advancements in technology helped us to generate a forensic link between Mary and Mudko,” Staff Sgt. Keith Tollar said. Police wouldn’t say what that key piece of evidence is.
Police say the investigation remains open because they want to locate Hammond’s remains, and bring her home to her family.
Police are hoping Mudko may have told someone something about where she is, and that person comes forward.
