State Police Probe Possible Burglary Links in Lois Colley Killing

New York State Police are studying a rash of recent burglaries in Ridgefield, Conn. for possible clues into the Monday killing of 83-year-old North Salem socialite Lois Colley.

Investigators are not saying there are definitive links between the crimes. But the Ridgefield break-ins occurred between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 on Mamanasco Road, and near Route 116, which is only about two miles away from the Colley estate on Titicus Road in North Salem.

Colley’s body was found in a laundry room in the main house on the sprawling, 300-acre estate called Windswept Farm. State police said she was killed sometime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, and died from blunt force trauma.

“We are looking at it because of the close proximity to the case here,” state police Investigator Joseph Becerra told The Journal News about the Ridgefield angle, one of several possible angles authorities are studying.

State police said there were no signs of forced entry into the Colley home, and valuables did not appear to have been taken.

In one of the Ridgefield break-ins on Mamanasco Road, a knife-wielding man forced his way into the home and stole cash from the victim.

“The community should remain alert and vigilant in reporting to police any suspicious activity, vehicles or persons in the North Salem area,” said Major Robin H. Benziger, state police Troop Commander, in a statement.

Colley, the wife of multimillionaire McDonald’s franchise owner Eugene Colley, was an admired and active member of the community and local fox hunting circles.

“This is a shocking and disturbing crime in what is usually a quiet and peaceful town in Westchester County,” State Police Lt. Paul DeQuarto.

Photo: Authorities investigate the Lois Colley killing. Photo credit: NYS Police