Death of Homicide Suspect Tracked To Hudson Valley: Police

DOVER, NY — A suspect in three homicides was found dead in Dutchess County Thursday afternoon. Police began looking for Steven Pladl after a man and a woman were found dead at 8:40 a.m. in the town of New Milford, Connecticut, police said.

In all, four people are dead in three separate states in what police are saying is all connected to the death of an infant in Knightdale, North Carolina. The baby was born as a result of an incest relationship between Steven Pladl, 43, and his biological daughter Katie Pladl, 20, according to police and news reports including NBC Connecticut.

SEE: New Milford Double Homicide Tied to North Carolina Baby's Death

After a man and a woman were found dead in a truck at the intersection of routes 7 and 55, New Milford Police Department put out a notice to police agencies in the region to be on the lookout for the suspect’s vehicle, which was described as a light blue mini-van with North Carolina registration.

The mini-van was initially observed by a Probation Officer from the Dutchess County Probation Department on Dog Tail Corners Road, east of Berkshire Road in the town of Dover.

Police from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, New Milford Police Department, and Connecticut State Police converged on the vehicle, which was found parked with the engine running on the shoulder of the roadway next to the Ten Mile River. Police emergency service units were called to the scene and subsequently found a man dead in the mini-van.

There does not appear to be any remaining threat to the community, state police said.

By Rich Kirby, Patch Staff