On August 18, 2023, chaos erupted in Toronto's Nordheimer Ravine when police responded to a call about a knife-wielding man. As officers apprehended the man, he revealed a chilling motive: he wanted the police to see a dead body hidden in the ravine.

The wooded area near Forest Hill had been transformed into makeshift campsites, a striking contrast to the affluent neighborhood nearby. The man's unsettling statement led police deeper into the thicket, where they found a body—darkened and decomposed behind a fallen tree, barely recognizable.

Identified as Jennifer Johnson, a 54-year-old renowned costume designer, the discovery raised urgent questions. A single pearl earring found at the scene linked her to a missing person report filed 21 days earlier.

Once a vibrant part of Toronto’s nightlife, Jennifer had struggled for years with addiction and mental health issues. News of her untimely death sparked an outpouring of grief from friends and acquaintances alike. Hundreds flocked to a Facebook memorial page, sharing memories and tributes.

However, as friends expected a thorough investigation from the authorities, they were met with frustration. A Globe and Mail investigation uncovered that police had taken over a year to conduct basic investigative steps, despite previous violent incidents involving Jennifer.

Documented in a six-page affidavit, the police’s inaction was alarming. It revealed they waited 14 months to examine Jennifer’s phone, a crucial piece of evidence in any suspicious death case. They had the phone in their custody from the day of her discovery but delayed seeking a search warrant until October 2024.

These delays echoed findings from a previous report by Justice Gloria Epstein, which criticized police for their handling of cases involving marginalized victims. In Jennifer's case, the police’s lack of urgency was glaring, especially given a prior sexual assault allegation against a man linked to her.

Compounding the situation, police labeled the case as a non-homicide due to the inability to determine a cause of death, delaying toxicology tests due to the extent of decomposition.

Fuming over the police response, Jennifer’s friends decided to take matters into their own hands. Eloisa Slimmon and Viia Beaumanis banded together with others to investigate. They compiled a 16-page dossier, complete with a timeline, maps, and potential eyewitness accounts.

The trio delved into Jennifer’s past and the circumstances leading to her death. They uncovered distressing details about her life and a network of people who expressed concern over her safety, including accounts of past violence.

As they navigated their own investigation, they encountered various roadblocks with the police. Their doubts intensified after meetings with the investigating officer, who appeared indifferent to the case, leaving them to feel Jennifer was treated with little regard due to her struggles with addiction.

Friends recounted Jennifer's vivid history—a once-prominent figure in Toronto’s vibrant nightlife, known as the "coolest girl on the scene." Born in Winnipeg, she had roots that connected her to her Indigenous heritage, which she embraced later in life.

Ultimately, the friends felt compelled to unite their different experiences—from both Jennifer's past and recent acquaintances—to uncover the truth behind her death. Leading insights came from Rebecca Green, a friend who had spent time with Jennifer and who also feared police might dismiss her as just another victim of addiction.

Sharing their findings with police only raised more questions about the investigation's integrity and urgency. Despite numerous leads and a growing concern from friends, the police’s response was lackluster.

Now, months after the tragic event, Jennifer's mother and friends are left grappling with unanswered questions and ongoing grief. As they push for justice, the haunting reality of how marginalized individuals often fall through the cracks of law enforcement looms large.

Jennifer's story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the need for systemic change in how investigations for missing and murdered individuals—particularly among Indigenous communities—are conducted.

Her friends, driven by love and loss, hope that their pursuit of truth can effect change and help ensure that no other family has to endure the pain and uncertainty they have faced.