Photo of suspect Stephen Mudko.
Thirty-nine years after the disappearance of Mary Hammond, detectives with the Brantford Police Service have identified a man believed to be responsible.
On Sept. 8, 1983, at approximately 3:30 a.m., 25-year-old Mary Emma Hammond (nee Bisenthal) left her townhouse on Elgin St., to walk to work. Mary was scheduled to work the early morning shift at Buns Master Bakery, where she had worked for approximately one year.
Walking north on Park Road North (now Wayne Gretzky Parkway) she passed the Massey-Ferguson factory and cut across the field toward the rear of the bakery.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., a co-worker called Hammond’s husband asking why she had not arrived at work. Her footprints were followed to the property line at the rear of the bakery and to a point where she cut across a field. They then disappeared.
Police were notified. Evidence at the scene included some items from her lunch: a cup, a dish, and a half-eaten apple. One of Hammond’s white sockettes and a small quantity of blood were located in an area of the field.
During the initial stages of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a Memorial Drive residence. Evidence seized at this time was examined and remained in police custody.
Through continued investigation, police were able to identify evidence in Hammond’s disappearance.
This historical evidence seized and with advancements in mitochondrial DNA analysis, investigators were able to forensically link Hammond to a man believed to be responsible for her abduction and murder. Mitochondrial DNA analysis is an investigative tool that is relatively new to policing.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, detectives with the Brantford Police Service have identified Stephen Mudko as the individual believed to be responsible for the abduction and murder of Hammond.
At the time of Hammond’s disappearance, Mudko was 36-years-of-age and resided in a home on Memorial Drive in Brantford. Mudko died on June 16, 2010. However, if he were alive today and able to stand trial, he would face the following charges:
- Abduction
- Murder – 1st Degree
The whereabouts of Hammond are still unknown. Although a suspect has been identified, detectives believe that additional individuals may still have information or knowledge related to the disappearance of Hammond. This investigation is ongoing.
As a result of the advancements in technology and forensic sciences, the continued dedication of our officers, and information from our community, the Brantford Police Service is one step closer to being able to determine what happened to Hammond and bring closure to her family.
Anyone with information regarding Hammond’s disappearance is asked to contact the Mary Hammond tip line to leave a voicemail for investigators at 519-756-0113 ext. 2592, or email [email protected]
Republished courtesy of Brantford Police Service.