Toronto police say the man responsible for the "brutal" murder of 80-year-old Margaret McDonald in 1994 likely still lives in midtown Toronto.

Investigators are appealing to the public on social media in hopes of cracking the 21-year-old cold case.

They say a recent forensic phenotyping test has narrowed the suspect down to primarily European ancestry with blue to intermediate coloured eyes and dark hair. Police believe he was between 20 and 30 years old at the time of the murder and is now between the age of 40 and 50.

McDonald was found murdered in her Lascelles Boulevard home, near Yonge Street and Davisville Avenue, on June 26, 1994. She was discovered by her granddaughter.

Investigators believe the suspect lived near McDonald at the time of the murder and continues to reside in the area.

"He likely had trouble maintaining intimate relationships with women during that time of his life," said Det.-Sgt. Stacy Gallant said in a video posted by Toronto Police on YouTube.

Police are appealing to anyone who knows the suspect — and knows he committed the murder — to do the right thing and come forward.

"We have his DNA. All we need from you is his name," Gallant said

Police believe the suspect broke into McDonald's home in the middle of the afternoon. It was ransacked and several valuables were stolen.

"He knew the area enough to break in with confidence. It wasn't his first break-and-enter and wasn't his last," Gallant said in a media release also sent out by police today.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).