Recent picture of Joanne MacKenzie

[UPDATE: 8:33 a.m. July 12. A funeral for Joanne MacKenzie will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Apsley Community Chapel on McFadden Rd. in Apsley. Memorial donations should be made to a trust fund established for Joanne's five-year-old daughter.]

[UPDATE: 3:53 p.m. July 9. It has now been confirmed that the human remains found in Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield Township on Wednesday are those of 23-year-old Joanne MacKenzie. She died as a result of sharp force trauma, the autopsy revealed. Robert McGregor is charged with first-degree murder. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joanne's family.]

[UPDATE: 12:15 p.m., July 7. Robert McGregor, 25, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Joanne MacKenzie. Police say human remains have been found near Young's Point Rd. at Preston Rd. McGregor is MacKenzie's former common-law spouse, and the father of her child. He appeared in Peterborough court today. More on the investigation here. CHEX News has some video from the scene here.]

**[UPDATE: 9:45 p.m., July 6. Developing news... The Examiner is reporting "an arrest has been made after the investigation of 23-year-old missing woman Joanne MacKenzie turned into a homicide case." Police have not yet released an official statement.]

[UPDATE: 7:58 p.m., July 6. The OPP has joined the investigation into the disappearance of Joanne MacKenzie. Here's the release sent out tonight:

(Peterborough, ON) – On July 3, 2011, Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service launched a missing person investigation to locate 23-year-old Joanne MacKENZIE of Peterborough.

MACKENZIE was last seen on July 2, 2011 at 9:00am.

After an extensive search and public appeal, on July 6, 2011, the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service requested the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The Peterborough Lakefield Police Service and the Peterborough County OPP Detachment, led by OPP Detective Inspector Kari Dart, Criminal Investigation Branch, are conducting a joint investigation into this suspicious disappearance.

MacKENZIE is described as:

   • Caucasian,
   • 5'2" (157 cm),
   • 105 lbs (47.5 kg),
   • thin build,
   • fair complexion,
   • black medium length straight hair,
   • green/blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a teal coloured sun dress.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Joanne MACKENZIE is asked to call the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service at 705-876-1122 ext 225 or Crime Stopper at 1-800-222-8477.

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[UPDATE: 11:15 a.m. July 6. Joanne's father has just sent us this more recent photo (above) of his daughter, which is how she looked at the time of her disappearance. Her hair is dyed black, and she looks significantly different than in the older picture below. Please forward this new info along.]

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[UPDATE: 7:05 a.m. July 5. The Examiner is reporting that MacKenzie's family are searching for the 23-year-old Apsley resident here in Peterborough -- the last place she was seen Saturday morning -- papering the city with "Missing Person" posters. The family says her absence is extremely out of character, and they're "definitely really worried." Four officers are now assigned to this case. See below for original missing person release police sent out Sunday morning to the media.]

Old picture of Joanne MacKenzie

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ORIGINAL POST: JULY 3

From a special Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service Media Release today...

The Peterborough Lakefield Community Police are asking the public's assistance in locating the following female:

Joanne MacKenzie, 23 years, of Peterborough. MacKenzie (see photo at left) is Caucasian, 5'2" (157 cm), 105 lbs (47.5 kg), thin build, fair complexion, black medium length straight hair, green/blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a teal coloured sun dress.

Information is that Joanne may have been walking from Rubidge St to the area of Wolfe St and Aylmer St.

She was last seen on July 2, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police at 705-876-1122 ext 225 or information can be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

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