MA Woman's Death Ruled Homicide, CT Man Charged With Murder

BURLINGTON, CT — The death of a Massachusetts woman found in Connecticut in March has been ruled a homicide, and a Connecticut man is now facing a murder charge, according to Connecticut authorities and multiple reports.

Janina Brooke Murphy, 26, of Marlborough, was found after Connecticut State Police responded to Claire Hill Road in Burlington at about 11:16 p.m. on March 29. Cole Werhan, 28 of Burlington, CT, was arrested Tuesday on a murder charge, state police said.

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The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Murphy died from blunt force injury of the head and ruled her death a homicide, NBC Connecticut reported.

State police initially described Murphy’s death as untimely and suspicious, Patch reported in April. The Western District Major Crime Squad responded to the scene and took over the investigation, and police said at the time that additional details were not being released because the investigation was active and ongoing.

Werhan was held on a $5 million bond and was scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on Wednesday, state police said.

Murphy was remembered by loved ones as "a free spirit-someone who faithfully followed her own drum while making sure that everyone around her felt included in the band," according to her obituary.

Editor's note: This story includes reporting from Michelle Tuccitto Sullo's earlier report: ‘Suspicious’ Death Of Marlborough Woman Probed In Connecticut: Police

See Also:

• Man Convicted Of Killing State Trooper In MA Denied Parole