Gruesome Details Released In Groton Murder: Reports

GROTON, CT — A Groton man is accused of hitting a woman in the head three times with a baseball bat, then dismembering her body, according to reports.

Donald Coffel, 68, has been charged with murder, tampering with evidence, and improper disposal of a body.

Coffel reportedly confessed to the slaying of Suzanne Wormser, 58. Coffel had been living in her Allen Street apartment when he is accused of killing her, according to WTNH News-8.

He then is accused of dismembering her body, disposing of two trash bags with body parts in two dumpsters, according to reports. He also stuffed Wormser's torso in a suitcase, which he left next to two trash cans outside Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, according to The Day of New London.

The human remains were discovered just 800 yards from Wormser's apartment March 19. Police determined the suitcase had been left at the cemetery between Feb. 13 and 18, WTNH News-8 reported.

A witness told police that Coffel had confessed to him, saying he killed Wormser after she stole crack cocaine from him, according to reports. Coffel then later confessed to police as well, according to The Day.

Police are hoping that the conclusion of the case will end rumors of a serial killer in the region. The speculation was sparked due to eight cases of human remains being found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island in recent months.

In another case in New Haven, police recently said there were no signs of found play in the death of Denise Leary, 59, who went missing in September 2024. Her remains were found in a wooded area of Rock Creek Road in March in what police termed an "advanced state of decay."

In another case, police found human remains in Killingly on April 9.

Nearby in Foster, Rhode Island, police found remains later identified as Michele Romano. Police have deemed her death suspicious, according to NBC CT.

The remains of a woman identified as Paige Fannon, 35, of West Islip, New York, were also found in Norwalk, People reported. Police said there was no indication of foul play in her death.

Despite social media speculation, police have not found any links between the cases of human remains being found.

Read more at WTNH News-8.

Read more at The Day of New London.

Related: Police Address Serial Killer Rumors After Woman’s Remains Found In New Haven

Man Charged With Murder In Groton 'Human Remains' Case: Report