Vermont State Police seek suspect in suspicious death of woman in Castleton

Vermont State Police are investigating a suspicious death of a woman in Rutland County and are looking for a possible suspect.

Police responded to the rail trail near 1587 South St. in Castleton at about 4:30 p.m. after receiving a call about a deceased woman.

A witness in the area reported a possible suspect was traveling north on the rail trail walking towards the Castleton University Campus after gunshots were heard. The witness described the possible suspect as 5 feet, 10 inches tall with short dark-colored hair. The person was wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack.  

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. The public is urged to remain vigilant and alert for any suspicious people and activities and to report anything suspicious to the Vermont State Police.

People are being asked to check their surveillance cameras early afternoon into the evening hours on Oct. 5.

This investigation is in its initial stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search Team, Victim Services Unit and Castleton Police Department.

The body of the victim will be brought to the medical examiner’s office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators in this case is asked to call the Vermont State Police in Rutland at 802-773-9101. Tips also may be submitted anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.