Team honoured for restoring Danforth Lady’s identity

For decades, she was known only as the Danforth Lady, a murder victim discovered beneath a concrete floor whose name remained a mystery.

An investigation combining forensic science, genealogical research and years of persistence restored her identity as Mary McLeod Davidson. Now, the Toronto Police Service team behind that work has received the William Bishop Award of Excellence.

Detective Constables Mike Kelly and James Atkinson, along with genealogical team members Lauren Robilliard, Christina Lauritsen and Katie Crossman, were honoured for identifying Mary and helping reconstruct the circumstances surrounding her death.

“The identification of the Danforth Lady was an exceptionally challenging and complex investigation that demanded persistence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from everyone involved,” said Detective Sergeant Stephen Smith of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit.

The case began in May 1995, when a demolition crew discovered human remains beneath the concrete floor at 1515 Danforth Avenue, the former site of Robertson Motors.

Investigators determined that a woman had been murdered and buried at the location before 1949. Numerous missing women were considered and excluded, but her identity remained unknown.

Assigned the investigation in 2021, Kelly pursued Investigative Genetic Genealogy, which combines DNA analysis with family history research to help identify unknown individuals.

The scientific setbacks were considerable. Attempts to generate a DNA profile from a femur sample failed in 2022 and again in 2023. With no further samples initially available, Kelly consulted experts and advocated for testing alternative biological material.

A premolar eventually yielded a DNA profile, although bacterial contamination limited its quality.

Working with that imperfect profile, Atkinson and the genealogical team traced DNA connections to a couple born near Aberdeen, Scotland, in the 1770s. Their research led to a descendant who had lived approximately one kilometre from the burial site before apparently disappearing around 1944.

DNA samples from the woman’s close relatives supported a family connection, but the amount of shared DNA fell outside the expected range. The evidence was insufficient to establish an identification.

Kelly continued seeking expert advice. When laboratories indicated the contaminated profile could not be improved, he arranged to restart the process using a portion of the petrous bone, a dense part of the skull.

A laboratory specializing in contaminated samples generated a stronger profile, which immediately excluded the original candidate.

Within 42 minutes, Atkinson and the genealogical team identified a new candidate, Mary McLeod Davidson, who was born near Aberdeen in 1905 and was a third cousin once removed of the woman initially considered.

Subsequent DNA testing confirmed that the remains were Davidson’s.

“The determination and investigative excellence demonstrated by our members ultimately helped resolve a mystery that had remained unanswered for decades,” Smith said.

With Davidson’s identity established, investigators turned their attention to understanding her life and disappearance.

Historical records and dozens of witness interviews helped reconstruct her life with her husband, Lloyd, and their son, Lyle. By June 1931, the family was living in Winnipeg.

Investigators determined that Lloyd abandoned Mary and Lyle in 1932, moved to Toronto and married another woman without divorcing Davidson.

Police believe she travelled to Toronto with her son and confronted Lloyd in April 1936 at the automotive garage where he worked. Investigators believe Lloyd killed her and buried her behind the garage.

Lloyd, who later lived under an alias, died in British Columbia in 1985. He is considered a suspect in Davidson’s murder.

The investigation also uncovered correspondence documenting Lyle’s lifelong search for his mother. He died in 2003 without learning what had happened to her.

Kelly continues to work with the Coroner’s Office and a British Columbia cemetery to arrange for Davidson’s remains to be buried alongside her son.

Smith said the award recognizes the dedication of those who continued pursuing answers through each setback.

“On behalf of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit, we are extremely proud to see our members recognized with the William Bishop Award for Investigative Excellence,” he said. “It represents the highest recognition of investigative excellence within the Toronto Police Service, and this honour is a fitting tribute to the dedication, professionalism, and outstanding work of the recipients.”

The award was established 32 years ago by Bishop and his family with the support of then Deputy Chief William Boothby.

Bishop, who spent 44 years with the Service before retiring in 1993 as a Superintendent, died in October 2022.