Accused killer in court today

A 22-year-old Erin Mills man accused of murdering a woman had a relationship with the victim, according to police and neighbours.
Jason Osborne, who was charged early this morning with first-degree murder in the death of Karina Neff, 31, had a relationship with the woman that was "on again, off again," said Peel Regional Police Cst. Adam Minnion..
Neff had intellectual difficulties and Minnion wouldn't comment on whether the accused also has a developmental disability. However, police sources and neighbours who live in the suspect's South Millway townhouse complex said that is the case.
"He was developmentally delayed, and he lived with two other men who had similar difficulties," said a woman who claims to know Osborne and only wanted to be identified as E.J.
The body of Neff, a former Applewood Acres Public School student, was found yesterday in a park near her Erin Mills home, more than 12 hours after she disappeared while walking her family's dog.
Osborne was scheduled to make a brief court appearance today and then be remanded into custody.
According to police, Neff failed to return to her parents' Broadhollow Gate home after going out to walk the family pet late Monday night.
Neff's family members, who described themselves as being very private, issued a statement through police in response to the death of Karina, who had a cognitive disability. She had used many programs run by Community Living Mississauga.
"Karina Neff was a ray of sunshine and saw the good in everyone and everything," the statement read. "'She was our little angel on earth,' as her mother would say. She was a loving and caring daughter, sister and friend and we will miss her every minute of the day."
Neff's body was found by police just after 1 p.m. in a heavily wooded area of Windy Hollow Park, located east of Erin Mills Pkwy., just off The Collegeway.
Neff reportedly left her home, which is only steps from the park, with a male friend at about 10 p.m. to walk the dog. Police sources say Neff and her friend met up with two other men.
When the dog returned alone, Neff's family called police.
Her death is the ninth murder in Mississauga, and 16th in Peel, this year.
lrosella@mississauga.net