Mystery Woman Linda Identified By Canadian Police As Missing Delaware Woman
A mystery woman who appeared in a Toronto homeless shelter in September not knowing who she was has been identified as Linda Hegg.
Toronto police confirmed the 56-year-old woman's identity on Tuesday and also revealed that she is originally from Newark, Del.
When Hegg first gained the attention of Canadian authorities, she knew nothing about herself other than the fact that her name was Linda. Police eventually found that a woman matching her description was reported missing in November from Delaware.
Newark police issued a statement on Tuesday saying the following: "The subject noticed similarities between the photo released by NPD and that released by the Toronto Police Service. NPD Detectives forwarded this information to the Toronto Police Service and assisted them in their investigation. Following an extensive investigation the Toronto Police Service used DNA to positively identify the subject as Linda Hegg."
Canadian authorities said Hegg is mentally ill; she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 1996. They also found that she had a degree in linguistics and languages from the University of Rochester, and is a U.S. Navy veteran.
The exact reason for her disappearance is unknown to the public as well as how long she had traveled before being reported missing. The Toronto Star reported that Hegg was first reported missing on Nov. 5 by her mail carrier who saw that no one was checking her growing pile of mail.
Hegg apparently entered Canada on a bus with an expired passport.
"She was relieved and she was happy to know she had somewhere to go and parents and family," said Toronto police detective Roger Caracciolo during a news conference on Tuesday, as reported by The Inquisitr. "I said to her 'It's time to go home,' and she said 'yeah' and clapped her hands and smiled."
Hegg reportedly is resting well at a hospital in Delaware surrounded by her family.
