A suspect tried to flee the area as officers closed in on finding a missing woman dead in a basement, but officers arrested this person on unrelated charges and the investigation continues, say cops in Willimantic, Connecticut.
Authorities did not identity the people involved, but city Police Chief Paul M. Hussey called it one of the worst cases he had ever seen.
“This is a deeply troubling case on many levels, and one of the worst cases I have seen in 27 years in law enforcement,” he said. “Our condolences go out to the family of the victim.”
Officers said the woman’s family contacted them Saturday at approximately 2 p.m. Relatives said she had been missing since the mid-morning. They believed her to be in Willimantic, which is about 30 miles east of Hartford.
Police responded to the area of Chapman Street, where they determined her vehicle was no longer present.
But they found it nearby, however. A K-9 unit tracked from her vehicle to a home where she was believed to be, officers said.
“Upon arrival back at the residence, a suspect was seen fleeing the area, and was detained by Willimantic Police Officers, who searched the residence and located a deceased woman in the basement,” cops said. “The suspect was arrested at the scene on unrelated charges and transported back to the Willimantic Police Department while this investigation continued.”
Authorities did not release information on the circumstances around the woman’s death, but added that there is no danger to the public at this time and this appears to be an isolated incident. They ask that anyone with information on this incident to contact the Connecticut State Police
Willimantic officers did not immediately respond to a Law&Crime request for more information.
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