Forensic investigation to determine if remains are Tori's

Oxford Community Police Chief Rod Freeman said this afternoon that he is "hopeful" the remains of a child discovered in rural southwestern Ontario are those of Victoria (Tori) Stafford.

Oxford Community Police Chief Rod Freeman said this afternoon that he is "hopeful" the remains of a child discovered in rural southwestern Ontario are those of Victoria (Tori) Stafford.

Freeman said confirmation would mean the murdered child could finally be "brought home."

The 8-year-old Woodstock schoolgirl disappeared three months ago while on her way home from school.

OPP investigators found the remains on Sunday near Mount Forest about 95 kilometres north of Woodstock.

The remains have been sent to Toronto for forensic identification and preliminary autopsy results could be available later this week.

Woodstock residents Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic have been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Victoria's disappearance. Their trial is expected to begin in 2010.