‘Fall from significant height’ killed missing teen Mariam Makhniashvili, police say
Posted Mar 9, 2012 06:21:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – In a news conference, police confirm the human remains found in a wooded area last week are those of missing teen Mariam Makhniashvili.
Police say the findings are not consistent with a homicide, foul play or a suspicious death.
Police also say the post-mortem indicated that the cause of death was “consistent with a fall from a significant height” and that evidence shows Mariam was alive before the fall.
Her remains were found underneath a highway overpass in a wooded area on the Don Valley Golf Course, near Yonge Street and Highway 401.
When the remains were found, police said as a courtesy, they called the family members of all missing people, including the mother of missing teen Mariam Makhniashvili.
Makhniashvili was 17 years old the last time she was seen near her school, Forest Hill Collegiate, in September 2009.
Her disappearance sparked the largest missing person’s case in Toronto’s history. Police say 60 officers canvased over 5,000 residents in a period of two weeks. Every student from her school was interviewed and her case even appeared on the television program “America’s Most Wanted.”
Police say they now believe Mariam died around the time she disappeared.
Her family was contacted by police to inform them that the remains had been identified as Mariam’s, Friday morning
“I have been advised by my investigators that Mariam’s mother Lela has requested that the media honour her right to privacy at this very difficult time,” police said.
Reporters Irene Preklet and Melanie Ng reported live from the news conference, their tweets are below:
