Update: Police Identify Remains Found in 2013

Update, 2 p.m.

In March of 2013, human skeletal remains were discovered by a local resident in wooded area on West Street, near the intersection of South Street in Vernon.

The human remains have been positively identified through DNA as Carol Shapiro.

Shapiro was 43 years old when she went missing on Aug. 31, 2007 from a North Main Street apartment in Manchester, where she resided at the time.

As the investigation continued months after the discovery, the Connecticut Forensic Laboratory DNA section successfully was able to extract a DNA profile from the remains recovered. This DNA profile was entered into state and national databases, but there were no matches.

The department investigated a number of leads and worked with several different law enforcement agencies and the Connecticut Forensic Laboratory, but had not come up with any DNA matches.

During this investigation, Manchester Police Detective Claire Hearn contacted the department to discuss the 2007 missing person’s investigation of Carol Shapiro. Detective Hearn worked to obtain DNA samples from Shapiro’s immediate family members, who live in several different states, so it could be compared to the remains found in Vernon.

Once Shapiro’s immediate family’s DNA was obtained, it was collected and sent to the University of North Texas Health Science Center, which operates the NamUs program through the DOJ’s National Institute of Justice. Working together, the Connecticut Forensic Lab, the Missing Person’s Unit of the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center positively identified Shapiro through DNA analysis.

Since learning this information last week, Vernon and Manchester police detectives worked together, starting back from the comprehensive 2007 investigation Manchester Police Department conducted at the time into Shapiro’s disappearance, and no new information was uncovered.

Shapiro’s death appears to be untimely and no foul play is suspected. The office of Chief Medical Examiner has determined the cause and manner of death as undetermined.

Original Story

Today, at 2 p.m., the Vernon and Manchester police departments will hold a joint news conference to release information on the identity of the human remains that were found in the woods off of West Street in Vernon on March 13, 2013.

The identity of the human remains has been positively identified by DNA. Information will also be released about the investigation conducted by both departments and other agencies.

Related

• Vernon Police Investigating Skeletal Remains Found Off West Street
• Investigators: Remains Found in Vernon Do Not Match Missing Girls
• Vernon Police Issue Sketch, More Details of Woman’s Remains Found in 2013
• Police Rule Out Two More Cases in Vernon Unidentified Body Case

The homes, located at 126 and 130 West St., are set back from the road and are in between the Regan Road and South Street intersections. A resident discovered the remains.

The woman was most likely white and is believed to be between 40 and 50-years-old at the time of her death. She was likely between 5 feet and 5 feet 3 inches tall.

Photo courtesy of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.