Brantford Police Service Identify Suspect in 1983 Disappearance of Mary Hammond
UPDATE: June 8, 2022
Image: Photo of Mary Hammond
Thirty-nine years after the disappearance of Mary Hammond, detectives with the Brantford Police Service have identified a man believed to be responsible.
On September 8, 1983, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Mary Emma Hammond (nee Bisenthal) left her townhouse on Elgin St., to walk to work. Mary was scheduled to work the early morning shift at the former Buns Master Bakery, at 110 Morton Avenue, where she had worked for approximately one year.
Walking north on Park Road North (now Wayne Gretzky Parkway) she passed the Massey-Ferguson factory and cut across the field towards the rear of the bakery.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., a co-worker called Mary's husband asking why she had not arrived at work. Mary’s footprints were followed to the property line at the rear of the bakery and to a point where Mary cut across a field. They then disappeared.
Police were notified. Evidence at the scene included some items from her lunch: a cup, a dish, and a half-eaten apple. One of Mary's white sockettes and a small quantity of blood were located in an area of the field.
At the time of her disappearance, Mary Hammond was 25 years old, 5'10", 140 lbs., with long straight reddish-brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion. Mary was last seen wearing a blue, mauve, and red lumber jacket, blue jeans, a yellow t-shirt, and white Adidas running shoes with a silver stripe.
Through continued investigation, police were able to identify evidence in Mary Hammond’s disappearance. This evidence has helped investigators over the years to identify people who may have been involved in Mary’s disappearance.
On September 11, 1983, during the initial stages of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a Memorial Drive residence. Evidence seized at this time was examined and remained in police custody.
Through this historical evidence seized and with advancements in mitochondrial DNA analysis, investigators were able to forensically link Mary Hammond to a man believed to be responsible for her abduction and murder.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis is an investigative tool that is relatively new to policing. Thru additional investigation, research, and interviews, utilizing this tool can lead to the identification of persons of interest in historical cases such as this.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, detectives with the Brantford Police Service have identified Stephen MUDKO as the individual believed to be responsible for the abduction and murder of Mary Hammond.
At the time of Mary’s disappearance, MUDKO was 36-years-of-age and resided in a home on Memorial Drive in Brantford.
Stephen MUDKO died on June 16, 2010. However, if he were alive today and able to stand trial, he would face the following charges:
- Abduction
- Murder – 1st Degree
The Brantford Police Service are releasing a historical photograph of Stephen MUDKO in the hopes that it may provide additional information which could help further this investigation.
Image: Photo of Stephen Mudko
The whereabouts of Mary Hammond are still unknown. Although a suspect has been identified, detectives believe that additional individuals may still have information or knowledge related to the disappearance of Mary Hammond. This investigation is ongoing.
As a result of the advancements in technology and forensic sciences, the continued dedication of our officers, and information from our community, the Brantford Police Service is one step closer to being able to determine what happened to Mary Hammond and bring closure to her family.
Anyone with information regarding Mary Hammond’s disappearance is asked to contact the Mary HAMMOND tip line to leave a voicemail for investigators at 519-756-0113 ext. 2592, or email HammondDisappearance@police.brantford.on.ca Anonymous information can be provided by contacting Brant- Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a web tip may be submitted at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
83-24791
Brantford Police Service Release Photos of Four Unidentified Persons in the Ongoing Investigation of the 1983 Disappearance of Mary Hammond
Image: Photo of Mary Hammond
September 7, 2020
Thirty-seven years ago, Mary Emma Hammond (nee Bisenthal) left her townhouse on Elgin St., Brantford around 3:30 a.m. on September 8, 1983. Mary was scheduled to work the early morning shift at the former Buns Master Bakery, 110 Morton Avenue, where she had worked for approximately one year.
Walking north on Park Road North (now Wayne Gretzky Parkway) she passed the Massey-Ferguson factory and cut across the field towards the rear of the bakery. At approximately 4:00 a.m., a co-worker called Mary's husband asking why she had not arrived at work. Mary’s footprints were followed to the property line at the rear of the bakery and to a point where Mary cut across a field. They then disappeared.
Police were notified. Evidence at the scene included some items from her lunch: a cup, a dish, and a half-eaten apple. One of Mary's white sockettes and a small quantity of blood were located in an area of the field.
At the time of her disappearance, Mary Hammond was 25 years old, 5'10", 140 lbs., with long straight reddish-brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion. Mary was last seen wearing a blue, mauve and red lumber jacket, blue jeans, a yellow t-shirt and white Adidas running shoes with a silver stripe.
Through continued investigation, police were able to identify evidence in Mary Hammond’s disappearance. This evidence has helped investigators over the years to identify people who may have been involved in Mary’s disappearance.
Not all persons believed to have information or knowledge related to the disappearance of Mary Hammond have been identified. This investigation is ongoing.
The Brantford Police are appealing to the public for assistance to identify and locate the unknown persons depicted in the attached, previously unreleased photographs.
Unidentified Person #1:
Image: Photos of Unidentified Person #1
Unidentified Person #2:
Image: Photo of Unidentified Person #2
Unidentified Person #3:
Image: Photo of Unidentifed Person #3
Unidentified Person #4:
Image: Photo of Unidentified Person #4
Investigators would like to speak with the unidentified persons regarding any information they may be able to provide related to the disappearance of Mary Hammond. The unidentified persons are believed to have ties to the Hungarian / Ukrainian / Bosnian / Polish community in and around the time of Hammond’s disappearance.
The whereabouts of Mary Hammond are still unknown.
It is hoped that with the advancements in technology and forensic sciences, the continued dedication of our officers, and information from our community, we will be able to determine what happened to Mary Hammond and bring closure to her family.
Anyone with information regarding Mary Hammond’s disappearance is asked to contact the Mary HAMMOND tip line to leave a voicemail for investigators at 519-756-0113 ext. 2800, or by email HammondDisappearance@police.brantford.on.ca Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Brant- Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a webtip may be submitted at: http://bit.ly/r1Ew0S
Original Post: Missing Person - Mary Emma Hammond
Image: Photo of Mary Hammond
Mary Emma Hammond (nee Bisenthal) left her townhome unit on Elgin St., Brantford, Ontario around 3:30 a.m. on September 8, 1983. She had the early morning shift at the former Buns Master Bakery, 110 Morton Ave., where she had worked for approximately one year.
Mary declined her husband's offer to drive her to work and left the home alone on the approximately 1.5 km walk.
Walking north on Park Road North (now Wayne Gretzky Parkway) she passed the Massey-Ferguson factory and cut across the field towards the rear of the bakery. Approximately 4:00 a.m. a co-worker called Mary's husband asking why she hadn't arrived at work. Her footprints were followed to the property line at the rear of the bakery and to a point where Mary cut across a field. They then disappeared.
Police were notified. Evidence at the scene includes some items from her lunch, a cup, dish and a half-eaten apple, one of Mary's white sockettes and a small quantity of blood in an area of the field.
At the time of her disappearance Mary Hammond was 25 years old, 5'10", 140 lbs., with long straight reddish-brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion.
She was last seen wearing a blue, mauve and red lumber jacket, blue jeans, white Adidas running shoes with a silver stripe and a yellow T-shirt.
Investigators received information that a pickup truck left the rear of the bakery around the time Mary disappeared. The truck was seen parked at the back of the bakery parking lot and later driving through the rear lot. It is described as an older brown pick-up possibly a Ford, with painted bumpers and round headlights. Despite appealing to the public and an exhaustive police investigation, no truck matching that description has ever been found.
Anyone with information about Mary Hammond is to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.