01/03/08                                                

                                                            UPDATE

STATE POLICE CONCLUDE THE INVESTIGATION OF 

THE SKELETAL REMAINS DISCOVERED ON RT 2 IN PRESTON                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

On 01/02/08 shortly before 1:00 p.m. Connecticut State Police Troop-E received a report from a passerby walking on Rt. 2 reporting a bicycle about 50 feet off the road adjacent to Rt. 2 in Preston near the Norwich Town Line. The Preston Resident State Trooper responded to the location and located the bicycle and in addition also located human remains adjacent to the bicycle. The area was immediately secured by the responding State Trooper with the assistance of additional Troopers who responded to the scene.

The State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad initiated an investigations into this death.  State Police Major Crime Detectives documented the scene and gathered physical and forensic evidence. State Police Detectives established a tentative identification of the deceased at the scene and continued the investigation.

Today 01/03/08 The Office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner conducted a post mortem examination of the deceased.  The post mortem examination revealed no trauma and nothing suspicious was determined by the medical examiner. 

The Medical Examiner assisted State Police in the establishing a positive identification of the deceased. He has been identified as NEIL E. PHILLIPS DOB 01/20/65 20 Stanley Place,  Norwich CT.

Phillips had been reported missing to the Norwich Police in August 2007.  During this current investigation State Police Detectives have not determined any criminal aspect in this case.  The State Police investigation is being suspended.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance