Rewards
Rewards are authorized under Section 54-48 of the General Statutes, which reads:
When any crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year has been committed, the Governor, upon application of the state's attorney for the judicial district in which it has been committed, may offer, publicly, a reward not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, to the person who gives information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty person, or, if such guilty person has fled after conviction of a felony in a court of this state, to the person who gives information leading to the arrest and detention of the convicted felon, whether found within the state or elsewhere, which reward shall be paid to the informer by the state, by order of the court before which such conviction is had.
Homicide of Dominic Marino - East Hartford - November 18, 2018
The State of Connecticut offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the homicide of Dominic Marino.
On November 18, 2018, a family member found the body of the victim inside his residence at 48 Suffolk Drive, East Hartford. He was found with his wrists and ankles bound with tape. An autopsy determined that Marino died from a gunshot wound to the torso and his death was classified as a homicide. The unknown suspect/s appeared to have forced entry into Dominic’s home. There was also evidence of a struggle.
The East Hartford Police Department and Dominic’s family are requesting assistance from the public with any information that may lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Frank Napolitano at (860) 291-7640 or fnapolitano@easthartfordct.gov
Homicide of Jericho Scott - New Haven - April 19, 2015
The State of Connecticut is offering a
reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in
the April 2015 drive-by shooting death of New Haven teenager Jericho Scott.
The 16-year-old victim was seated in a vehicle parked on Exchange Street near his home in New Haven when he was fatally shot shortly after midnight on April 19, 2015. Two other individuals standing near the vehicle were wounded in the same incident.
Investigators believe Jericho was hit with gunfire from a small or midsize silver or gray four-door sedan. The shootings are believed to have been in retaliation for an alleged robbery that occurred days before, but police do not believe Jericho was the intended target.
The case is being investigated by the New Haven Police Department. Anyone with information about the homicide of Jericho Scott should contact the New Haven Police Investigative Services Division at (203) 946-6304 or the anonymous tip line at (203) 946-6296. Tips also can be submitted by text to 274637 or by email at ecic@newhavenct.gov
Homicide of Nicholas Brown - Hartford - September 24, 2016
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the homicide of Nicholas Brown, who was fatally shot in Hartford on September 26, 2016.
The 26-year-old Hartford resident was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside of 160 Magnolia Street in Hartford. At approximately 10:25 p.m. police had been alerted by the "Shot Spotter," an electronic system that detects possible gunfire.
Mr. Brown was pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. A subsequent autopsy identified a total of 18 gunshot wounds to the torso, head and extremities. Police recovered shell casings at the scene that had been fired from two different firearms, but no witnesses were located and no suspect has been identified.
Anyone with information about the homicide of Nicholas Brown is asked to contact Hartford Police. Tips may be left anonymously at (860) 722-8477 or www.hartford.gov/police
Homicide of Ricardo Rivera - Hartford - October 21, 2015
The State of Connecticut is offering a
reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in
the homicide of Ricardo Rivera, who was fatally shot in Hartford on October 21,
2015.
On that evening at 10:16 p.m., Hartford police were called to the area of 7 Cherry Street on a report of shots fired. The caller reported hearing three gunshots, saw a “man down” and a silver Acura leaving the area with three males in it.
Officers arriviving on the scene found Mr. Rivera, age 19, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was was transported to the hospital where he died the next day. A second man also shot was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle before police arrived on the scene. He has recovered from his injuries.
Only minimal evidence was recovered at the scene of the shootings and to date no witnesses have come forward. Investigators are hopeful the reward may lead to a successful conclusion of the investigation.
Anyone with information about the homicide of Ricardo Rivera is asked to contact Hartford Police. Tips may be left anonymously at (860) 722-8477 or www.hartford.gov/police
Homicide of LaDawn Roberts - Hartford - June 20, 1999
On June 20, 1999, Hartford Police responded to the rear porch of 272 Garden Street where officers found the partially clad body of LaDawn Roberts, age 28, of Hartford.
Commonly known as Dawn, Ms. Roberts was last seen alive in the area of Albany Avenue and Garden Street at approximately 11 p.m. on June 19, 1999. Earlier that day she was seen on Edgewood Street in Hartford. She was known to frequent the Upper Albany neighborhood, particularly Edgewood and Cabot streets.
She was 5 feet tall and weighed approximately 130 pounds and was five months pregnant at the time of her death. All investigate leads in the case have been exhausted, and the State of Connecticut is offering reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
Homicide of Amos Brown, Jr. - Norwalk - August 13, 2010
Amos Brown, Jr. was shot to death on August 13, 2010, on Lexington Avenue in Norwalk. The shooting occurred in the vicinity of the El Coqui Grocery. The suspects, believed to be three black males in their teens or early 20s, fled the scene in a silver or gray Chevrolet Malibu that was later recovered by police.
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the homicide of Amos Brown, Jr.
Homicide of Timothy Coleman - Hartford - September 2, 2009
The State of
Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an
arrest and conviction in the death of Timothy Coleman, who was shot to death in
Hartford on September 2, 2009.
Mr. Coleman, age 38, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds by police called to the area of 102 Edgewood Street in Hartford to investigate a report of shots being fired. He died later that evening from his wounds.
An investigation by Hartford Police has not developed sufficient information to make an arrest. Investigators believe the reward may lead to a successful conclusion of the investigation.
Anyone with information about the homicide of Timothy Coleman is asked to contact Hartford Police. Tips may be left anonymously at (860) 722-8477 or www.hartford.gov/police
Homicide of Kristjan Ndoj - Shelton - March 15, 2014
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward
of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the
homicide of Kristjan Ndoj. The 15-year-old Shelton youth was fatally shot in
the driveway of friend’s home on March 15, 2014.
The $50,000 reward is the maximum allowed under state law. It was authorized by Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the request of Kevin D. Lawlor, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia-Milford. In requesting the reward, State’s Attorney Lawlor said no arrest has been made despite an active ongoing investigation by the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad assisted by the Shelton Police Department.
Anyone with information in the case should contact the Connecticut State Police at 860-685-8190 or 1-800-842-0200.
Homicide of Kyle Seidel - Waterford - December 21, 2012
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the homicide of Kyle Seidel.
The 34-year-old husband and father of three children was fatally shot on December 21, 2012, in the parking lot outside of Family Bowl on the Boston Post Road in Waterford. Kyle was on the way to pick up take-out food for his family from the Lucky Inn Chinese restaurant at the time of the shooting, which occurred around 8 p.m.
The reward was authorized by Governor Dannel P. Malloy at the request of Michael L. Regan, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of New London, and the Waterford Police Department and the Southeastern Connecticut/New London County Cold Case Unit.
If you have information about this crime, please call the Waterford Police Department tip line at 860-437-8080 or call the Waterford detectives directly at 860-442-0645 or 860-442-9451.
Or you may follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit, or call the Cold Case Unit tip line toll-free at 1-866-623-8058.
You may remain anonymous.
Deaths of Iroquois Alston - Rickita Smalls - Norwalk - August 6, 2011
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the deaths of Iroquois Alston and Rickita Smalls.
Mr. Alston, age 27, and Ms. Smalls, age 22, were found in the early morning hours of August 6, 2011, shot to death in the back of a black Honda sedan parked on Avenue B in Norwalk.
The Norwalk Police Department requests that anyone with information about these crimes contact the Norwalk Police tip line at 203-854-3111 or send a text message to CRIMES (274637) with the letters "NPD" in the text field followed by the information. Tips also may be submitted online at www.norwalkpd.com
Death of Erica Cirioni - Norwich - December 31, 2006
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of Erika Cirioni, a 26-year-old Norwich woman who was last seen alive on New Year’s Eve 2006.
Ms. Cirioni was reported missing by her mother on New Year’s Eve 2006. Her remains were discovered off a road in an isolated area of Montville on March 25, 2012. Based on the circumstances of the case, her death is considered a homicide.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Norwich Police Department at 860-886-5561, the Cold Case tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 866-623-8058, by email by following this link or by regular mail at P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Ms. Cirioni’s missing persons case was included in the first deck of “cold case” playing cards produced by the Division of Criminal Justice and distributed through the Connecticut correctional system. Her case, since reclassified from a missing person to a homicide, was described on the 6 of diamonds playing card.
Homicide of Janette Couture - East Hartford - October 13, 1973
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information in the unsolved murder of Janette Couture in the victim's East Hartford apartment more than three decades ago.
Ms. Couture was found deceased in her apartment in East Hartford on October 13, 1973. An autopsy determined she had been stabbed and her death was ruled a homicide.
East Hartford Police Detectives are reviewing case evidence complied over the years and continue to investigate all “persons of interest.” The state’s forensic lab has also begun to examine the evidence collected from the crime scene.
Anyone with any information regarding the murder of Janette Couture is encouraged to contact the East Hartford Police confidential tip line at 860-289-9134.
Homicides of Gladys Punch - Warren Tarkington - West Haven - September 5, 1994
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and convictions of those responsible for the homicides of Gladys Punch and her brother, Warren Tarkington, in West Haven on Labor Day, September 5, 1994.
The 72-year-old woman and her 75-year-old brother were shot and killed in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven while they were visiting the grave of Gladys' husband. Police were called to the scene around 2:30 in the afternoon after being notified by a witness that two people were lying prone in the cemetery. The two victims were located among the headstones on near Forest Road.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Connecticut Cold Case Unit toll-free at 1-866-623-8058, or by email by following this link or by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 862, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Homicide of Javed Akhtar - East Windsor - February 28, 2007
On February 28, 2007, Javed Akhtar was found slain outside his place of business, the One Stop Convenience Store, located at 68 Depot Street in East Windsor. Investigation revealed that Mr. Akhtar, age 32, was the victim of a shooting, apparently in the course of an attempted armed robbery.
In June 2008, a reward of up to $50,000 was authorized for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide of Javed Akhtar.
The case is being investigated by the East Windsor Police Department in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police, Central District Major Crime Unit, and the Office of the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford.
Anyone with information about the homicide of Javed Akhtar should contact the East Windsor Police Department at 860-292-8240.
Homicide of Suzanne Jovin - New Haven - December 4, 1998
Suzanne Jovin, a talented and popular senior at Yale University, was stabbed to death near the corner of Edgehill Road and East Rock Road in New Haven on December 4, 1998. Her killer has not yet been arrested.
 Contact the Jovin Investigation Team
Toll-Free Tip Line
(Statewide) 1-866-623-8058
U.S. Mail:
Cold Case Unit
P.O. Box 962
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
E-mail: |
This investigation is now being handled by the New Haven State's Attorney's Office, which continues to pursue investigative leads in an effort to solve this tragic murder. Authorities are interested in all available information or leads, no matter how remote or trivial that information may seem, and want to hear from anyone who has heard something, seen something, or who may even have repressed the knowledge of something that could be related to the murder of Ms. Jovin.
The State of Connecticut has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of Suzanne Jovin’s murderer. Yale University has committed an additional $100,000 to that reward fund.
Homicide of Sara Palenza - Hartford - February 23, 2006
A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in the 2006 shooting death of Sara Palenza in Hartford.
The 19-year-old victim, a resident of East Hartford, was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle that was fired on as it traveled along Albany Avenue in Hartford just after midnight on February 23, 2006.
Homicide of Anne Caro - Mansfield - August 28, 2005
Connecticut State Police are investigating the homicide of Anne Caro, who was found dead in her Mansfield home on her 37th birthday on August 28, 2005. The cause of death was strangulation.
Ms. Caro was the mother of two young children. The physical evidence recovered from the scene and witness interviews have not identified the person or persons responsible for the crime.
In August 2008, a reward of up to $50,000 was authorized for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons guilty of this crime.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Unit at 860-886-6603 or the State Police Message Center at 860-685-8190. Anonymous tips can be sent to: Crimes (274637) Text “Tip711 plus your message”.
Homicide of Edward Bell, Jr. - Hartford - May 6, 2005
On May 6, 2005, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Hartford Police responded to the area of 110 George Street on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Edward “Little Man” Bell, Jr.
Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the 34-year-old victim to Hartford Hospital where he was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds.
A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office.
Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit with information of a tip about the homicide of Edward Bell, Jr., or call the tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.
Homicide of Nancy Valentin - Stratford - September 7, 1990
On September 7, 1990, at approximately 10:45 p.m. Nancy Valentin, age 31 was found lying on the pavement in the parking lot of Rose’s Family Restaurant at 595 South Main Street in Stratford. Ms. Valentin was employed as a waitress at Rose’s and had just left work for the evening.
Ms. Valentin was transported to the hospital where she died. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound.
A $50,000 reward is being offered by the State of Connecticut for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved with Nancy Valentin’s murder.
If you think you know this individual or can provide any information about this incident:
- Call the Stratford Police Department at 203-385-4100.
- Call the Cold Case Unit tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058.
- Write to the Cold Case Unit, P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
- Or you can follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit
Homicide of Floyd W. Ellis, Jr. - Sharon - September 2004
A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information in the death of Floyd W. Ellis, Jr., whose body was found submerged in the Webatuck Creek in Sharon on September 24, 2004.
Mr. Ellis had been reported missing on September 21, 2004. Investigators from the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Unit have interviewed more than 100 individuals in connection with the homicide and are seeking additional cooperation of witnesses.
The reward was authorized by Governor M. Jodi Rell at the request of David Shepack, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield.
Anyone with information in the homicide of Mr. Ellis should contact the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Unit at 860-824-2500. Calls may be kept confidential.
Homicide of Maria Laura Capon Bravo Rojas - New Milford - September 2004
The State of Connecticut is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to a conviction in the homicide of a woman who was found slain in her family’s New Milford business on September 15, 2004.
The reward for information leading to the killer of Maria Laura Capon Bravo Rojas was authorized at the request of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield and the New Milford Police Department.
The body of Mrs. Rojas was discovered on the floor of the business she operated with her husband, David’s Flooring at 441 Danbury Road in New Milford on September 15, 2004. She was killed by multiple blows to the head and shoulder. The weapon has not been recovered. Despite an intensive investigation, authorities have not identified the person or persons responsible for the crime.
Anyone with information in the homicide of Maria Laura Capon Bravo Rojas should contact the New Milford Police Department at 860-355-2000 or the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield at 860-567-0871.
Homicide of Agnieszka (Agnes) Ziemlewski - Farmington - September 1998
A $50,000 reward is authorized in the September 1998 homicide of Agnieszka (Agnes) Ziemlewski. On September 24, 1998, Ms. Ziemlewski, age 26, was found shot to death on a walking trail on the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) Reservoir property near Old Mountain Road in Farmington. Despite hundreds of interviews with witnesses and friends and co-workers of Agnes, no arrest has been made.
Agnes emigrated to this country from Poland with her family in the early 1980s. She had lived in Hartford with her parents and two sisters before moving to an apartment of her own in West Hartford. Agnes graduated from the University of Connecticut and was working at United Health Care in Hartford at the time of her death. Agnes' father passed away in September of 1999 without his daughter's killer being arrested.
Anyone with any information regarding this case is urged to call the Farmington Police Department Detective Unit at 860-675-2462 or 860-675-2460 or the Cold Case Unit at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at 860-258-5800. Or follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office or call the Tip Line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. All calls will be kept confidential.
Homicides of Champaben Patel - Anita Patel - March 1996 - Windsor
On March 21,1996, the bodies of Champaben Patel and her daughter Anita were found in their family home in Windsor. Champaben Patel had been strangled and her body burned. Anita had been stabbed and her body burned.
In March 2006, a reward of up to $50,000 was authorized for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the slayings.
Investigators believe Champaben Patel was killed first, in the bedroom of her home. They further suspect that Anita Patel and her two children arrived at the house while the attack was occurring, and that Anita told the children, then ages 3 and 5, to leave the house. The children ran from the house and were found by a woman walking to her mailbox, who called the police. Anita Patel was stabbed in the kitchen of the house. Gasoline was poured around her body and set afire. Although she had been stabbed 14 times, an autopsy determined she died of smoke inhalation.
The case is being investigated by the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office. Connecticut investigators are consulting with the Vidocq Society, a group of forensic experts who contribute their time and expertise in unsolved cases.
Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office with information or a tip about the case of Champaben Patel and Anita Patel or call the tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.
Homicide of Thera Wilson (Theresa Wilson, Mona Williams) - January 1997 - Hartford
On Friday, January 14, 1977, the body of Therea Wilson , age 26, was found in the garage of the then-Statler Hilton Hotel at 10 Ford Street in Hartford. The victim, also known as Thera Wilson, Theresa Wilson and Mona Williams, had been stabbed to death. At the time of her death, the victim had been engaged in prostitution.
In 1977 numerous leads were pursued by the Hartford Police Department, all with negative results. In April of 1977, then-Governor Ella T. Grasso authorized a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Ms. Williams death. The reward was increased to $50,000 in November 2006 by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
In March of 2006, at the request of the Hartford Police Department, the case was re-opened with the assistance of the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.
Anyone with information is requested to call the tip line at the Office of the Chief State's Attorney at 860-548-0606, toll-free at 1-866-623-8058 or e-mail the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office by following this link. All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.
Homicide of Joseph Mackanesi - Stratford - July 28, 1990 - $5,000 Reward
The Town of Stratford is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide of Joseph Mackanesi.
On July 28, 1990, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Mr. Mackanesi, age 32, flagged down a police patrol car near the intersection of Soundview and Barnum Avenues in Stratford. Mr. Mackanesi reported that he had been shot by two black males who had attempted to rob him.
Mr. Mackanesi was transported to the hospital where he later died. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound.
Mr. Mackanesi was employed in the local area as a truck driver and food salesman prior to his death.
If you think you can provide any information about this incident:
- Call the Stratford Police Department at 203-385-4100.
- Call the Cold Case Unit tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058.
- Write to the Cold Case Unit, P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
- Or you can follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.
Homicide of Julieanne Miller - September 1982 - Old Saybrook
On September 29, 1982, Julieanne Miller was reported missing to the Old Saybrook Police Department by her father, who is now deceased.
Ms. Miller was last seen at her residence in the company of her boyfriend on September 22, 1982. She is presumed dead but her body has not been recovered.
The State of Connecticut is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit with information or a tip about the case of Julieanne Miller. All communications will be kept confidential. Or call the Cold Case Unit Tip Linetoll-free at 1-866-623-8058 or at 860-548-0606 in the Hartford area.
Homicide of Leah Ulbrich - October 1995 - Hartford/Wethersfield
The Governor has authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Leah Ulbrich.
On Sunday, October 29, 1995, at approximately 4:49 a.m., Hartford Police received 911 calls about a woman being dragged by a motor vehicle from Locust Street west on Elliott Street toward Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.
The caller described the car as similar to a 1995 or recent year Nissan Maxima or similar make. Another caller, using a fire emergency telephone at the corner of Elliott Street and Wethersfield Avenue, observed the female being dragged by the car south on Wethersfield Avenue toward Wethersfield. The female caller was never identified.
Just prior to the 911 calls, a Hartford Police Officer patrolling north on Wethersfield Avenue near Elliott Street observed a small dark color car enter Wethersfield Avenue from Elliot Street and travel south with no headlights on. The officer observed something unidentifiable being dragged from the passenger side of the vehicle. The officer pursued the car without success. The officer followed a discernable trail of liquid left on the pavement to the area of Jordan Lane near Ridge Road in Wethersfield.
The officer located the victim, with extensive injuries, lying against the northern curb of Jordan Lane. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). An autopsy performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as extensive blunt trauma and certified the manner of death as a homicide. The victim was identified as Leah Ulbrich, age 24, of Hartford and New Britain.
Since October 29, 1995, the Hartford Police Department and the Wethersfield Police Department have conducted an intensive investigation into the murder of Leah Ulbrich. Numerous extensive interviews have been conducted and forensic evidence analyzed. In November 2001, a joint investigation was initiated between the Hartford Police Department, the Wethersfield Police Department and the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.
Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit with information or a tip about the case of Leah Ulbrich or call the tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.
William "Billy" Smolinski, Jr. - Missing Since August 2004
William “Billy” Smolinski, Jr., was last seen on August 24, 2004, when he asked a neighbor in Waterbury to watch his pet dog for a few days while he went to look at a car he was interested in buying. The 31-year-old left behind his truck, wallet and keys.
A reward totaling $60,000 is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Mr. Smolinski.
The case is being coordinated by the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. Participating in the investigation are the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad, the Seymour Police Department, Shelton Police Department and Waterbury Police Department.
More information on the case can be found at www.justice4billy.com or by following this link to visit the website of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
- Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit with information or a tip about the disappearance of William Smolinski.
- Or call the tip line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058.
All calls and e-mails will be kept confidential.
Sexual Assaults - Manchester and Vernon - 2001 - 2004 - 2007 - 2008
A reward of up to $30,000 was authorized for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man responsible for sexually assaulting four women in the towns of Manchester and Vernon between 2001 and 2008. Authorities have obtained DNA evidence identifying the same person as being responsible for all four crimes. Arrest warrants have been issued identifying the "John Doe" suspect by his scientific DNA identification code.
Ongoing checks have failed to yield a match between the suspect and those individuals whose DNA profiles are on file in the state and federal DNA databases. The police are hopeful that renewed public interest in the case by way of the offer of the reward will generate new leads.
The sexual assaults occurred in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2008 in the towns of Manchester and Vernon against victims ages 37, 57, 81 and 84. In each case, the assailant entered the victim's home through an unlocked door during the late evening to early morning hours and assaulted the sleeping victim.
The reward was requested by Gail P. Hardy, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford, and announced by Governor Rell in October 2010.
Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked call the Manchester Police Department Detective Division at 860-645-5510 or the Vernon Police at 860-872-9126.
Sexual Assaults - Summer 1984 - Bloomfield/Middletown/Rocky Hill/Windsor
In August of 2004, a Superior Court Judge signed Connecticut's first "John Doe" arrest warrant charging a suspect identified only by his DNA profile with four counts of Kidnapping in the First Degree with a Firearm. The warrant charges "John Doe" in the following crimes:
- On June 3, 1984, a 25-year-old female was sexually assaulted in her apartment at the Sutton Apartments in Bloomfield by an armed man. The attacker entered the apartment through a sliding glass door, and the victim awoke with him standing next to the bed. The man placed his hand over the victim's mouth and told her not to scream or he would shoot her and her roommate. The intruder also said that he had just shot someone at a convenience store.
The intruder told the victim to smell the barrel of the gun. He blindfolded her, sexually assaulted her and then remained in the apartment for what the victim described as an "eternity." The intruder disabled the telephone, which was found the rear yard, searched the residence for valuables and drank a beer from the refrigerator. The victim remained in her bed until she felt the intruder had gone and then summoned police.
- On June 26, 1984, a 30-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her residence at the Trolley Crossing Condominiums in Middletown. The victim was sleeping when the intruder entered the residence through the sliding doors and jumped on top of her. The intruder put a gun to her head and told her that he had just shot someone for not cooperating.
The intruder blindfolded the victim, disabled the telephone, and searched the residence for valuables and money. At one point, he guided the blindfolded victim downstairs to find her purse. The intruder guided her back to the bedroom where he sexually assaulted her. The intruder remained in the residence asking if there was food in the refrigerator. The victim stated that her attacker remained in the residence for several hours.
- On July 21, 1984, a 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her apartment at the Rivers Bend Apartments in Windsor. The victim was sleeping when the intruder entered through sliding glass doors. She awakened to the man putting a gun to her head. The man blindfolded her and sexually assaulted her.
The intruder then sat her in a chair, still blindfolded, while he searched for valuables and money, disabled the telephone, tampered with the time on her clocks and ran water from faucets to cloak his departure. The victim estimated that it was a period of hours from the time the incident began until she felt safe that she could summon assistance.
- On July 24, 1984, a 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at her apartment at the Westledge Apartments in Rocky Hill. The victim was sleeping in her bed with her 2-year-old daughter when the masked intruder entered through the sliding doors. The victim awoke to the man sitting beside her pointing a gun to the side of her face. The intruder told her not to scream as he began to touch her. The victim requested to move her daughter to another room. The intruder blindfolded her and additionally stuffed cotton balls into the blindfold. He then guided the victim as she carried her sleeping daughter to another bedroom where she placed the child on a bed. The intruder guided the victim back to the other bedroom and sexually assaulted her.
After the assault, the intruder disabled the telephone, searched the apartment for valuables and money and made himself something to eat. The victim estimates that he remained in the apartment for more than one hour, and left water faucets running to cloak his departure.
These crimes remain unsolved despite extensive investigation that drew upon the expertise and experience of a special task force of Detectives from the police departments in Bloomfield, Middletown, Rocky Hill and Windsor and the Connecticut State Police. The Detectives employed all means and techniques available at the time of the crimes, which was prior to the advent of DNA technology.
Subsequent developments in technology led to the DNA analysis of evidence from the scenes of the four attacks linking them to one individual, whose name remains unknown. The Connecticut State Police Forensic Laboratory continues to conduct routine searches of its DNA Data Bank and the National DNA Data Bank to place the DNA profile with a name. (DNA profiles from additional individuals are constantly being added to the State and National Data Banks).
Follow this link to e-mail the Cold Case Unit of the Chief State's Attorney's Office regarding any of these four crimes, or call the tip line at 860-548-0606or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. All communications will be kept confidential.
Hit-and-Run Death of Gabrielle Lee - New Haven - June 5, 2008
A $10,000 reward was authorized for information leading to the motorist responsible for the death of 11-year-old Gabrielle Lee, who was fatally struck by a motor vehicle in New Haven on June 5, 2008. The child, a student at the Elm City College Prep charter school, is believed to have been struck by a Volkswagen Jetta. Anyone with information about the accident should contact the New Haven Police Department.