CHAPLIN, CT — A Willimantic man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the 2012 fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man in Chaplin, state officials said Wednesday.
Matthew Vining, 43, was charged with murder in the killing of Michael Mitchell, 42, of Willimantic. Mitchell was fatally stabbed at a Chaplin residence on or about Feb. 22, 2012, according to Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
The arrest follows an extensive joint investigation involving the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney, the FBI, Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit, the Division of Scientific Services within the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, state judicial marshals at Danielson Superior Court and the Willimantic Police Department.
Investigators identified Vining as a suspect through DNA analysis, video surveillance, cell site investigation and eyewitness accounts, officials said.
Vining is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Danielson Superior Court.
The Cold Case Unit consists of prosecutors and investigators from the Division of Criminal Justice who work with Connecticut State Police and municipal police departments to investigate and solve violent crimes.
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