Remains found those of missing sex worker
Investigator hopes discovery may yield new leads
Human remains discovered on a farm near Indus — a hamlet southeast of Calgary — in May have been identified as those of a sex trade worker missing from one of the city’s most notorious strolls since 2006.
Maria Rosa Ciciolla vanished after getting into a car on the corner of 19th Avenue and 44th Street S.E. on July 20, 2006.
The 35-year-old mother had come to Calgary from her Montreal home in 1997 seeking a fresh start, says a Calgary police detective, who remembers Ciciolla well.
“I saw her almost on a daily basis, I quite liked her. I had a soft spot for her,” said Det. Jeff Anderson, then a District 4 constable tasked with patrolling the stroll.
Ciciolla battled with addictions, Anderson said.
“She was super vibrant, and although she led kind of a rough lifestyle, you could tell she had a kind heart. She came from a good family; she always talked about her family,” he said.
The Calgary police missing persons case has now officially been taken over by the RCMP serious crimes unit, which may be investigating foul play.
“She was exposed to violence at times. We don’t know at this point what really happened, how she met with her end. There’s always the possibility at the back of your mind there may have been some violence,” said Anderson. “I honestly think some day this will be finalized.”
Ciciolla’s family remains in Montreal. Her son recently turned 18.
The family was notified of the discovery and identification of Ciciolla’s remains, closing a sad chapter.
“It’s the first part of closure for them. They can say goodbye properly. They didn’t give up hope that she would be found. Along the years, they came to a hard realization that she might not ever walk through the door again. They were very tenacious,” Anderson said. “It kept me wanting to move forward as well.”
Anderson recalls that Ciciolla, who was fluent in English and French, also spoke Italian. Standing five feet tall and weighing barely 95 pounds, the tiny, dark-haired woman stood out from her counterparts on the streets.
“She was educated and smart and witty. We had our roles we were playing, but there was mutual respect,” said Anderson.
“I don’t think anybody who ran
They didn’t give up hope that she would be found DET. JEFF ANDERSON
into her would ever forget her.”
Now police are hoping the latest developments will bring new information forward in the case.
“After seven years, it’s not going to be easy at all. It’s difficult — even when you have them (remains) when they first happen, they’re difficult,” said Anderson.
“She was very outgoing and wellknown by police and to the people in the area, we’re hoping to learn more.”
The bones, scattered underneath a towering caragana shrub, were discovered May 13 when someone was clearing unused farmland in the hamlet. The remote property, located off Range Road 275 on Township Road 232 north of Indus, hasn’t been used by the elderly owner in years.
Neighbours said the deserted property is a magnet for transients, and serves as a secluded dumping ground.
Now RCMP investigators are sifting through 184 exhibits taken from the scene, and are starting to re-interview witnesses and friends from years ago.
“When they spoke to people it was part of a missing persons investigation. Now we’re looking at it as human remains,” said Strathmore RCMP Const. Norm Mercier.
In the early years after Ciciolla had first been reported missing, Anderson made a point of investigating the case, even though he was promoted to a new job.
“I tried to work on it on the side of my desk. It’s frustrating at times. You come to a lot of dead ends and closed doors. But the family’s what keeps you going.”
Anyone with information about Ciciolla’s whereabouts or activities leading up to her disappearance is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477).