Five months after Erin Howlett’s body was discovered in the Grand River, Waterloo Regional Police now say they believe she died as a result of foul play – and have identified multiple persons of interest in connection with the case.

Prior to Friday, police had only been willing to label the death “suspicious”.

“We do have some persons of interest. We do believe that these persons were known to the victim,” Staff Sgt. Shaena Morris tells CTV News.

“This investigation is very complex. We appreciate the public’s patience with us.”

The body of Howlett, a 28-year-old Elmira resident, was found in the Grand River near Riverbend Drive in Kitchener in July.

Since then, officers have searched ponds in Kitchener’s Trillium Natural Area and a house on Chestnut Street as part of their investigation, but have been tight-lipped about what, if any, progress they have made.

Officers were seen removing several pieces of large furniture from the Chestnut Street home earlier this month.

Howlett’s brother, Dane Howlett, says he has a mixed reaction to the news that Howlett’s killer likely knew her.

“From a public standpoint that’s probably a good thing – you don’t want a random killer on the loose – however it does hurt. How could someone that knows her want to kill her?” he says.

Police say they are “confident in their assertion that Erin Howlett’s death was the result of a criminal act” thanks to a post-mortem examination and forensic analysis, but are not releasing a specific cause of death.

“We need to maintain the integrity of this investigation,” says Morris.

“We do urge anyone with any information to come forward and speak with our detectives.”

Anyone with information can contact police at 519-653-7700 ext. 8642 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.