Toronto’s Oldest Cold Case Has Remained A Mystery For Over 60 Years

There have been no updates on Patricia Lupton's case since 1959.
Toronto’s Oldest Cold Case Has Remained A Mystery For Over 60 Years
Toronto Police Service Kennedy Park Plaza | Google Maps
Contributor

For over 60 years now, this Toronto murder has gone unsolved, making it the city's oldest cold case homicide. 

A young girl named Patricia Lupton was murdered on March 9, 1959, and was discovered by Toronto Police Services (TPS) on McCowan Road south of Ellesmere Road.

Editor's Choice: Ontario Hospitals Call For 4-Week Province-Wide Lockdown To Avoid 'Devastating Surge'

Patricia Lupton is the oldest prosecutable Cold Case Homicide that we have. Toronto Police Services

Investigators believe she was last seen alive leaving her home on her way to Kennedy Park Plaza hours before her body was found.

Upon arrival, TPS pronounced 12-year-old Lupton dead at the scene of the crime, despite "life-saving efforts by emergency personnel."

There have been no updates on her case since 1959, leaving the police department in the dark over what happened to the young girl.

There are no known suspects in Patricia Lupton's case and her killer has never been identified.

While TPS has unsolved murders dating as far back as 1921, they do not have file briefs for anything earlier than the Lupton case.

In fact, as of last month, there were 612 cold case murders in the TPS database.

TorontoCanadaNewsNews
  • Abby Neufeld
    Abby Neufeld was a writer at Narcity Canada. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Professional Communications at the University of Victoria. Her past work has been published in The Toronto Star, Bitch Media, Canadian Dimension, This Magazine, and more. In 2019, Abby co-founded The New Twenties, an environmentally-focused literary and arts magazine.

Nicole Morin disappeared 40 years ago and Toronto police just announced a big reward for info

Her disappearance is one of Canada's most infamous cold cases.

'Ken Killer' Paul Bernardo was sentenced 30 years ago — Here's where he is now

He is still one of Canada's most notorious serial killers.

'Barbie Killer' Karla Homolka was released 20 years ago — Here's where she is now

Her plea deal is infamous in Canada.

Canada Pension Plan payments for January 2026 go out soon and rates just increased

A little extra money is coming your way this month. 💰

The CRA has announced a bunch of changes that could impact your 2025 tax return

From updated tax rates to new credits & deductions, here's what's new for 2025. 📝

Zellers plans to open new stores across Canada and here's what the locations could be like

The iconic Canadian retailer is focusing on affordability and nostalgia!

Toronto's population is officially shrinking — Here's where everyone is moving to

What's leading Toronto's sudden exodus? 😳

Canada's spring forecast is out and says the weather will still be snowy in these places

Most of the country will get cooler-than-normal temperatures this spring. 👀

CSIS is hiring post-secondary students for these jobs that pay up to $34 an hour

You can work in finance, HR, engineering, communications, IT or other areas.

The best employers in Canada for 2026 were ranked and Ontario companies made the list

So many universities and local governments are top employers this year!

Canada's best employers for 2026 were revealed and these are the top companies to work for

Well-known employers like Microsoft, RBC, Costco, Apple, and Rogers made the ranking.

BC's 2026 spring weather forecast is out now and it's probably not what you're hoping for

Here's what to expect from the season ahead!

Ontario's spring forecast calls for snow and cooler temperatures in parts of the province

If you've been waiting for warm weather, you'll have to wait a bit longer!