Vernon Police Make Preliminary ID on Body Found Thursday

Vernon police have a preliminary identification of the body that was found near Vernon Middle School yesterday, according to police.

No foul play is suspected and police are awaiting the results of an autopsy, which is scheduled for today at the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said Lt. William Meier, police spokesman. The medical examiner will make the official identification.

Police will also have to notify next of kin before publicly releasing the confirmed identity.

The remains are consistent with a single adult male victim.

The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Police believe that there is no connection between the body found Thursday and the body found in March 2013 about a mile from Thursday’s find.

The body was found by a local resident around noon in a wooded area adjacent to the Vernon Community Gardens at 271 West Street.

Vernon police are working with the state police Eastern District major Crime Squad, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Tolland State’s Attorney Office, K9 Cadaver dog from state police and Quinnipiac University forensic anthropologist Richard Gonzalez.

Police earlier this week released a forensic sketch of the female body found in March 2013. The sketch was prepared by a Quinnipiac University medical student with assistance from Gonzalez.