The Unsolved Murders of Wendy Tedford & Donna Stearne

In 1973, 17 year old Wendy Tedford and Donna Stearne had dreams of exploring Western Canada together. Wendy wanted to create a family. Donna looked forward to becoming a veterinarian. Unfortunately, neither would get the chance.

On April 27th 1973, the girls’ bodies were found in a vacant lot – shot to death. With no suspects and no apparent motive, the case quickly went cold – until recently, when investigators taking another look made a shocking discovery.

While unsolved for almost 50 years, Wendy and Donna’s killer ought to be sweating. Because their loved ones are still searching for justice and now, they’re closer than ever.

Wendy Ann Tedford

Donna Lee Stearne

Wendy Tedford

Donna Stearne

The two girls were buried side by side on May 1st 1973

The diner that Wendy and Donna were seen just an hour before they were killed

The vacant lot showing where the bodies were found

Map of the girls whereabouts the night they were murdered

Linda Harris, Wendy’s sister, recalls finding out her sister had been murdered

Sources:

Thumb Wars: Hitchhiking, Canadian Youth Rituals and Risk in the Twentieth Century, by: Linda Mahood,

Unsolved: True Canadian Cold Cases by Robert J. Hoshowsky

Tracking a Killer: the Cold Case Files – Wendy Tedford and Donna Stearne 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421312486/?terms=wendy%20tedford&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/470590478/?terms=%22Donna%20Stearne%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/557672727/?terms=%22Donna%20Stearne%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/728435585/?terms=wendy%20tedford%20sister&match=4

https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2016/05/21/hitchhiking-has-become-a-lonely-activity-since-the-1970s.html

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/10/18/tracking-a-killer-frequency-podcast-network/

Page 9. (1971, Oct 05). Toronto Daily Star (1900-1971) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-9/docview/1411396320/se-2

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8088525/wendy-ann-tedford

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8088523/donna-lee-stearne

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cold-case-waterloo-1.3622086

https://www.newspapers.com/image/736340972/?terms=wendy%20tedford&match=1

Police again call for public help in search for murderer of girls. (1973, Apr 30). The Globe and Mail (1936-) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/police-again-call-public-help-search-murderer/docview/1240271472/se-2

https://www.newspapers.com/image/725910181/?terms=%22Donna%20Stearne%22&match=1

https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/once-upon-a-city-archives/2017/08/10/cold-case-murders-of-wendy-tedford-and-donna-stearne.html

https://www.newspapers.com/image/421304521/?terms=Wendy%20Tedford&match=1

Page 71. (1973, May 01). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-71/docview/1413312534/se-2

Page 3. (1973, Apr 30). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-3/docview/1413311841/se-2

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/murder-weapon-preferences

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2009/09/01/a_relentless_hunt_for_elusive_clues_in_1973_slaying.html

https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10327984-behind-the-crimes-offenders-ancestry-under-investigation-using-dna-in-1973-double-murder/

North york girls killed by bullets, autopsies reveal. (1973, Apr 28). The Globe and Mail (1936-) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/north-york-girls-killed-bullets-autopsies-reveal/docview/1316321498/se-2

Page 4. (1973, Apr 28). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-4/docview/1416780247/se-2

Page 4. (1973, May 04). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-4/docview/1413313337/se-2

Grant, D. (1973, May 04). Police confirming involvement: Two cruel years for dead girls family. The Globe and Mail (1936-) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/police-confirming-involvement/docview/1239976097/se-2

Grant, D. (1973, May 02). Girls’ funeral touches other victims’ homes. The Globe and Mail (1936-) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/girls-funeral-touches-other-victims-homes/docview/1240276620/se-2

Page 37. (1973, May 02). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-37/docview/1413312982/se-2

Page GT2: [1]. (2009, Sep 01). Toronto Star (1971-2009) Retrieved from https://ezproxy.torontopubliclibrary.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/page-gt2/docview/1349397982/se-2

https://members.tripod.com/~unsolved_murder/

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