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

NEW HAVEN, CT — Police have released a statement following "speculation on social media of a serial killer who is alleged to have murdered Denise Leary."

In a post on the social media site X, the New Haven Police Department began with a headline that reads: 'Addressing rumors regarding Denise Leary.' The post then begins with, "We are aware of speculation on social media of a serial killer," concerning the death of Leary.

Police said while the cause of her death has not been determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, "there were no signs of foul play found during her autopsy." Leary went missing in September 2024.

Rumors have swirled due to several human remains cases in the region recently. In total, there have been eight people found in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in recent weeks, according to People. The New England SK group on Facebook, which has 17,000 members, has become a hub of speculation about the deaths.

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

In Groton, human remains were found in a suitcase last month near a local cemetery, according to police.

Friday afternoon, police announced a man is being charged in the case. Donald Coffel, of Groton, is facing charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and improper disposal of a body, according to NBC CT. He is accused in the death of Suzanne Wormser, 58.

Police determined that the incident was not connected to any other missing person cases, and that Wormser and Coffel knew each, NBC CT reported.

Related: Man Charged With Murder In 'Human Remains' Case: Groton Police

Police are also investigating human remains found in Killingly on April 9.

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

Related: New Details Released On Human Remains Found Near Groton Cemetery

Police have not established any links between the cases.

In the New Haven case, human remains were found in a wooded area of Rock Creek Road in March. The remains were later identified as Leary, 59, of New Haven.

Police said when the remains were found that they were in an "advanced" state of decay and investigators were initially unable to determine the person's identity, gender or race. The remains were found a short distance from Leary's home.

Related: 'Human Remains' Found In Wooded Area Identified: PD

Police said the extensive investigation into her death began the day she went missing and included interviews with family and friends; a check of hospitals, shelters, and hotels; searches by detectives, K-9 teams, and drones, and more.

"Our investigation has not yet concluded, but at this time there is no indication of any criminality in the disappearance and subsequent location of Ms. Leary," police said.

See the full statement by clicking here.