Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders has ordered an internal review of how the force handles missing persons reports in the wake of four high-profile cases in the city’s Church and Wellesley neighbourhood this year.

Saunders made the announcement at a news conference Friday morning that included updates on the homicide of Tess Richey, the death of Alloura Wells, and the disappearances of Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esen.

He said investigators have not made a connection between any of the cases, but held the joint briefing because of fears in the community.

The chief said he understands that local residents are concerned because the cases have occurred in close proximity. In recent weeks, residents have set up search parties and safety hotlines in the area. “I want to know what we can do to close those gaps, what we can do to improve relationships,” he said.

Saunders also dismissed speculation that a serial killer might be responsible, saying they have seen no evidence to suggest this is the case.

The news conference marked the first time police confirmed reports that Richey’s body was found by her own mother in the Church and Wellesley area last week, four days after she was reported missing.

Det. Sgt. Graham Gibson told the news conference that police have video footage of Richey and a man going into an alley near the building at Church and Dundonald Sts. where her body was later found.

Gibson said investigators obtained the footage, which also shows the male suspect emerging from the alleyway alone, on the same day Richey’s body was found.

Wells, a transgender woman, was last seen in downtown Toronto in July. Her body was found near Rosedale Valley Rd. in early August, although police weren’t able to confirm her identity until late November.

Det. Sgt. Dan Sabadics said Wells’s body was found beside a tent, and that an autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death.

The news conference also heard from Det. Sgt. Michael Richmond about the ongoing investigation into the disappearances of Andrew Kinsman and Selim Esen earlier this year.

Kinsmen went missing from Parliament St. and Winchester St. in June, while Esen was last seen in April near Bloor St. and Yonge St. Investigators have said they’ve received more than 150 leads and interviewed dozens of people.

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Saunders said people shouldn’t be concerned about going out near the Church and Wellseley area because the cases don’t appear to be linked.

"We follow the evidence, and the evidence tells us that's not the case right now. The evidence today tells us there's not a serial killer,” Saunders said, noting that if police received other information, they would update the public.

Saunders also said that police treat every missing persons and murder case very seriously, regardless of the victim’s sexual orientation or lifestyle choices, but he will look into increased sensitivity training for officers if that is found to be necessary.

Wells’s family has claimed Toronto police officers told them that her case “was not high priority” because Wells had been homeless for a number of years.

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