Bones Found Behind Diner Are Danbury Woman's: Putnam Sheriff

PATTERSON, NY — Police have identified the remains of a Danbury, Connecticut woman who went missing in 2017. The initial find was made by a Carmel resident who called police to report what he believed to be a human skull in the woods behind the Putnam Diner on Route 22.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, with help from the New York State Police, canvassed the area and recovered additional human bones, a sneaker, and other articles of clothing.

Dental records have since confirmed the identity of the remains to be that of Danbury resident Laelcira Delima. DeLima, 53, was last seen by family members on Oct. 20, 2017. She had left her residence in her red 2016 Honda, and the car was located unoccupied at the diner, a little more than two weeks later, on Nov. 7.

The cause of death is still under investigation, the Putnam Sheriff's Office said.