Port Hope police have confirmed a woman found deceased on May 19 is 29-year-old Madison ‘Madi’ Chard, who was previously reported missing on April 19.
“Subsequent to the family being notified, (the) Port Hope Police Service can now confirm that Madison Chard was located deceased in a wooded area in Port Hope yesterday (on May 19),” said the service on May 20.
“The circumstances surrounding her death are now under investigation with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police,” said police, adding anyone with information regarding their ongoing investigation is being urged to reach out to police.
Earlier, on May 20, Mark Chard, Madison’s dad, wrote on Facebook that the family had called off the search for his daughter after 31 long days.
“Day 31: Please take down all posters of our beautiful Madison,” Mark wrote on Facebook in the early morning of May 20. “She’s at rest with the angels.”
“Thank you to everyone who tried to help in this very broken world. Leave our family to grieve and if you have any information, contact the police so our daughter can rest in peace.”
On May 19 – exactly a month since 29-year-old Madison was reported missing – Port Hope police issued a brief release saying police were investigating after a deceased female was found earlier in the day. Police had the Caroline Street area near the river taped off during their investigation. The OPP were called in right away to help with the investigation, said police.
According to Port Hope police, Chard was last seen leaving her residence in Port Hope on April 19.
Port Hope police, the family and others have issued several calls for help over the course of the last month – putting out missing posters and online calls for help – while continuing their search for Madison and urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward.
Earlier in the week, on May 18, police issued another call for help, saying they feared she might be the victim of human trafficking – again, urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to reach out. There has been no confirmation of this.
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Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Port Hope police at 1-905-885-8123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
