Murder Charges Filed In Willimantic Homicide Investgation

WILLIMANTIC, CT — Murder charges have been filed in an investigation into the death of a Willimantic woman.

On Friday, state police Eastern District Major Crime Detectives served an active arrest warrant on Michael Reese, 39, of Willimantic, at Danielson Superior Court. Reese, who was in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Correction, was processed at the court and charged with:

• Murder
• Felony murder
• Criminal attempt to commit first-degree sexual assault

Reese was held on a $2 million cash or surety bond, presented for a same-day arraignment and remains in the custody of the correction department, state police said.

The case dates back to 1:59 p.m. on Oct. 28, when Willimantic police were asked to perform a welfare check on a woman who had missed several appointments that day, a warrant says. Both her phone and vehicle were tracked to a home on the 100 block of Chapman Street in Willimantic, Reese's residence, according to a warrant.

Reese was located nearby and had crack cocaine paraphernalia, the victim's key fob and her debit card in his possession, according to a warrant.

The victim's cell phone was eventually disabled when it was submerged in a bucket of water, which state police located in the residence, according to a warrant.

Police broke through a padlocked basement door and found a woman dead, according to a warrant.

Though her exact manner of death and age were redacted in a warrant, it states the Office of the Chef Medical Examiner determined the deal was a homicide, according to a warrant.