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Victoria Stafford

Victoria Elizabeth Marie “Tori” Stafford was an eight-year-old Canadian girl from Woodstock, Ontario, who was abducted and murdered in April 2009.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Victoria Elizabeth Marie “Tori” Stafford was an eight-year-old Canadian girl from Woodstock, Ontario, who was abducted and murdered in April 2009. Her disappearance and death drew extensive national media coverage and led to the convictions of Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic.

Disappearance

Stafford disappeared on April 8, 2009, after leaving school in Woodstock, Ontario. Surveillance footage and the subsequent police investigation became central to the case.

Investigation and charges

Police identified Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic as suspects in the abduction and murder. The case developed through court proceedings, plea evidence, and testimony over several years.

Trials and convictions

McClintic pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2010 and Rafferty was convicted in 2012. Rafferty’s later appeals were dismissed, and he received a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

Public impact

The case attracted intense media coverage and became one of the most widely discussed child murder cases in Canada. It remained a prominent subject of reporting during appeals and related legal proceedings.

Key facts

  • Victoria Stafford went missing near her school in Woodstock, Ontario, in April 2009.
  • She was later identified as the victim of a murder case that received major national attention in Canada.
  • Michael Rafferty was convicted of kidnapping, sexual assault, and first-degree murder in connection with her death.
  • Terri-Lynne McClintic pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2010 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • Her remains were found months after her disappearance in a rural area north of Guelph, Ontario.
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Canadian context

The case is closely associated with Woodstock, Ontario, and became a major Canadian criminal-justice story that drew national attention to child abduction, trial reporting, and appeal proceedings.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Victoria Stafford?
Victoria Stafford was an eight-year-old Canadian girl from Woodstock, Ontario, whose abduction and murder in 2009 became a major criminal case in Canada.
When did Victoria Stafford disappear?
She disappeared on April 8, 2009, after leaving school in Woodstock, Ontario.
What happened to Victoria Stafford?
She was abducted and murdered in April 2009. Her remains were found later in a rural area in Ontario.
Who was convicted in the case?
Michael Rafferty was convicted of kidnapping, sexual assault, and first-degree murder, and Terri-Lynne McClintic pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
Why is the case well known in Canada?
The case received extensive national media coverage because of the victim’s age, the circumstances of the disappearance, and the later trials and appeals.

References

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-18076184
    Supports: Victoria Stafford was eight years old; Michael Rafferty was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
  2. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/tori-stafford-murder-appeal-michael-rafferty-oct-24-1.3638851
    Supports: Rafferty was convicted in 2012 of kidnapping, sexual assault, and first-degree murder.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Tori_Stafford
    Supports: Birth and death dates, full name, nickname, and broad case overview.
  4. CTV News — https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/victoria-staffords-killers-appeal-swiftly-dismissed-by-ontarios-top-court/
    Supports: Rafferty’s appeal was dismissed and his life sentence with 25 years before parole eligibility.
  5. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-killers-plea-revealed-court-lifts-ban-on-tori-stafford-murder-case/article565295/
    Supports: McClintic pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
  6. Global News — https://www.globalnews.ca/news/216561/timeline-victoria-tori-stafford-murder/
    Supports: Timeline details including identification of remains and key investigation milestones.