Quincy College Professor Murder: Search for Suspect Continues

Photo: Tyler Hagmaier. (Credit: Plymouth County District Attorney's Office)

PLYMOUTH, MA — Authorities on Monday continued their search the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts for a suspect accused of murdering a Quincy College professor in Plymouth last week.

Tyler Hagmaier, 24, allegedly stabbed the victim over 30 times, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

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He ditched his vehicle in the western Massachusetts community of Gill; police they were investigating the possibility he jumped into the Connecticut River and drowned. Hagmaier is from western Massachusetts, Cruz said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Plymouth police at 508-830-4218.

The murder victim was Vibeke Rasmussen, 76.

The crime "was not random," Cruz said.

The murder happened in Rasmussen's Tide View Path apartment Thursday night.

Rasmussen's body was discovered by police Friday when they conducted a well-being check at her apartment after she failed to show up at the college. Officers encountered a gruesome scene, finding Rasmussen with "obvious trauma," Cruz said.

Neighbors said they heard screams from Rasmussen's apartment the night she died, according to Cruz.

Hagmaier has a history of mental illness, authorities told CBS Boston.

Investigators said Monday they are confident Hagmaier acted alone.