Suspicious Death Under Investigation In Enfield [UPDATED]

ENFIELD, CT - Local and state police are investigating the "suspicious death" of an elderly woman found dead, apparently of blunt force trauma, in a house at 47 Second Avenue early Wednesday morning.

The Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad unit was at the scene, bearing emergency responders clad in white protective suits. Top Enfield police officials and a large contingent of detectives were working on the investigation, which included a neighborhood canvass and a search of a dumpster at a nearby apartment complex.

Response to the home, located off Brainard Road in the shadow of Interstate 91, was prompted by a letter hand-delivered to police headquarters, according to Chief Alaric Fox.

A car belonging to the victim, Frances Battagler, had been reported stolen from her home. It is a black 2013 Toyota Corolla, with Connecticut registration plate AS-63916, Fox said.

A relative of the dead woman being sought by police, Anthony Ward, 35, had last been seen Sunday, according to a Silver Alert issued at 2:49 a.m. He was found following a car crash in Wethersfield Wednesday afternoon, during which he was driving the victim's car.

"Mr. Ward was involved in a one car accident in Wethersfield. He has been transported for medical care and is under supervision at the hospital. EPD detectives will seek to interview him once he is in an appropriate position to do so," Fox said.

The chief said Ward had recently been in contact with the deceased woman.

Anthony Ward, 35, is being sought by police as "a person of interest." (Courtesy Enfield Police Department)

Police Chief Alaric Fox disseminates information about the case to the media. (Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)