MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A woman's severed head was found in a river west of Toronto Thursday, a day after a foot was found nearby, police in Mississauga told a news conference.
Peel Regional Police Acting Inspector Randy Cowan said hikers in the suburban residential area made the discovery of the foot Wednesday midday while walking along the Credit River in the city that's adjacent to Toronto.
As divers were scouring the area Thursday, the head was found, he said.
The right foot is thought to be that of a woman's because of yellow nail polish and its size. The head was found in the river less than a mile away from the foot, the Toronto Sun reported.
"Obviously, we are considering this as foul play, and are treating it as such," Cowan said. "We will be taking our direction from the coroner and continue our search [and] we'll be looking for the entire victim."
The force deployed divers, search dogs and helicopters to scour areas near the discoveries and further north on the south-flowing river. Investigators said recent heavy rains could have transported the parts a fair distance, the report said.
It wasn't immediately known if the head and foot came from the same person, CP24 TV said.
The news evoked memories of a grisly homicide and dismemberment of a Chinese male university student in late May in Montreal. That suspect remains in protective custody awaiting court appearances.
