STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
Vermont State
Police investigation continues into killing of Honoree Fleming
CASTLETON, Vermont (Friday,
April 5, 2024) — Six months after the killing of 77-year-old Honoree Fleming of
Castleton, the Vermont State Police investigation into her death remains active
and ongoing.
Detectives assigned to the
case continue their work pursuing and developing leads. Investigators are
receiving tips from the public and following up on that information. Evidence
analysis remains underway. The Victim Services Unit continues to provide assistance
and support to the family.
VSP is aware of a privately
funded financial reward for information in this case but has not received any
tips that can be specifically tied to the availability of this money.
“We want to reassure the
public that this case remains a priority, and the state police has devoted and
continues to devote significant resources to the investigation,” said Capt.
Jeremy Hill, commander of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit. “Our thoughts
remain with Honoree’s family, friends, loved ones and community.”
Anyone who might have
information that could assist investigators should call VSP’s barracks in
Rutland at 802-773-9101, or send a tip anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
***Update No.
4, 4:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023***
Members of the public have
provided more than 150 tips to investigators in the 24 hours since the Vermont
State Police released a sketch of a person of interest connected to the killing
of 77-year-old Honoree Fleming in Castleton.
Detectives have been
pursuing leads and conducting follow-up investigation as necessary in response
to the tips.
The Vermont State Police
thanks all those who have shared information regarding this homicide and the
possible identity of the individual depicted in the composite police sketch.
This case remains an open
and active investigation. No one is in custody. The state police continues to
ask that anyone who thinks they might have relevant information call the VSP
barracks in Rutland at 802-773-9101, or send a tip anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
***Update No.
3, 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023***
The Vermont State Police is
releasing an artist’s sketch of a person of interest in the Oct. 5 killing of
Honoree Fleming in Castleton.
The sketch depicts an
individual who was seen on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail at about 4:30
p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The sighting occurred just prior and close to the
location where passers-by discovered the body of Dr. Flemming, 77, on the rail
trail.
Witnesses have described
the person of interest as a white man in his 20s with short red hair, standing
about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and last seen wearing a dark gray T-shirt and
carrying a black backpack.
Anyone who might recognize
the individual in the sketch should call the Vermont State Police’s Rutland
Barracks at 802-773-9101, or provide an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The sketch of the subject
was prepared by composite police sketch artist Detective Sgt. Adam Temple of
the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in Bath, Maine. Detective Sgt. Temple
traveled to Vermont earlier this week to meet with witnesses who reported seeing
the subject on the rail trail. Sgt. Temple interviewed the witnesses, obtained
their descriptions of the person of interest, and then spent multiple hours
creating the sketch, reviewing it with the witnesses and making revisions based
on their feedback.
The Vermont State Police
extends its thanks to Detective Sgt. Temple and the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s
Office for their vital assistance on this ongoing investigation.
In addition to releasing
the sketch to the public, detectives with the Vermont State Police continue to
review potential evidence in the case, including forensic evidence with the
assistance of the Vermont Forensic Laboratory at the Department of Public Safety
in Waterbury. The Victim Services Unit is working closely with Dr. Fleming’s
family.
In addition, uniformed
troopers from the Field Force Division will maintain a presence in and around
Castleton and the Vermont State University Castleton Campus as part of normal
shift coverage. Troopers also are in regular communication with local law-enforcement
partners including the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office and the Castleton Police
Department to ensure the availability of public-safety resources throughout
this ongoing investigation.
No other details are
available at this time. VSP will provide further updates as the investigation
continues.
***Update No.
2, 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023***
The investigation into last
week’s fatal shooting of 77-year-old Honoree Fleming on a rail trail near her
home in Castleton continues Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.
Numerous detectives from
the Vermont State Police’s Major Crime Unit and Bureau of Criminal
Investigations are assigned to the case and actively pursuing leads, following
up on new tips from the public, interviewing individuals who may have relevant
information, reviewing video and taking additional steps. Uniformed troopers
from the Field Force Division are conducting patrols in Castleton and ensuring
high visibility in and around the Vermont State University Castleton Campus.
The Victim Services Unit is providing support and assistance to Dr. Fleming’s
family. Investigators are working with the Vermont Forensic Laboratory at the
Department of Public Safety in Waterbury, as well.
Public assistance remains a
vital component of this case, and the state police continues to request that
anyone with relevant information, or those who were on the D&H Rail Trail
between 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, and have yet to speak with a detective, call
the Vermont State Police in Rutland at 802-773-9101. People also may submit
tips anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
No additional details are
available at this time. VSP will continue providing regular updates as this
case unfolds.
***Update No.
1, 3:35 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, 2023***
The Vermont State Police
continues to actively pursue leads in the ongoing investigation into last
week’s fatal shooting of Honoree Fleming, 77, on the Delaware and Hudson Rail
Trail in Castleton.
Detectives have received
more than 200 tips from the public since the homicide occurred and have been
interviewing potential witnesses, nearby residents and people who were on the
trail around the time of the shooting, among other individuals. On Monday,
members of the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team and Crime Scene
Search Team canvassed the rail trail in search of any additional evidence that
might be relevant to the investigation. The section of trail remains closed to
the public as the investigation continues.
Tips from the public remain
a crucial component of this case, and the state police continues to ask that
anyone with information that could possibly be related to this case call VSP’s
Rutland Barracks at 802-773-9101. Detectives would like to speak with anyone
who was on the trail between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct.5. People also may
submit a tip anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Vermont State Police
also has been working with outside agencies, including the Castleton Police
Department, Fair Haven Police Department, game wardens from the Vermont
Department of Fish & Wildlife, and New England K9 Search and Rescue.
VSP thanks area residents
and the public for their patience, cooperation and understanding throughout
this ongoing investigation.
State police will hold a
media availability at 4:15 p.m. Monday at the Castleton Police Department for
those who need this information on camera.
Members of Dr. Fleming’s
family have requested privacy during this difficult time but have authorized
the Vermont State Police to provide several family photos of her that the news
media are welcome to use.
No additional details are
available at this time. VSP will continue to provide updates throughout the
investigation.
All media questions
regarding this case should be directed by email to Adam Silverman, the Vermont
State Police public information officer, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.
***Previous
news release, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023***
Detectives with the Vermont
State police are continuing with the investigation into the death of
77-year-old Honoree Fleming on the Rail Trail in Castleton near 1660 South
Street Thursday afternoon. Detectives have interviewed numerous witnesses and
neighbors in the area of the homicide and continue to gather surveillance
footage from the area.
Witnesses on the Rail trail
describe the person of interest as a white male having short RED hair, not dark
hair as reported earlier, approximately 5'10", last seen wearing a dark
gray t-shirt, and carrying a black backpack. Anyone on the rail trail around
this time who may have observed the male are asked to call the Vermont State
Police.
Honoree Fleming entered the
Rail Trail on Thursday around 4:00 p.m. from the pavilion area at Castleton
College, she walked south (towards Poultney). Honoree was wearing a white and
blue striped shirt, black pants, and black sneakers. Anyone who saw Honoree
walking is asked to contact the Vermont State Police.
Fleming was found deceased
at 4:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the Chief Medical Examiner later determined
the cause of her death was gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death
homicide.
The suspect is considered
armed and dangerous. The public is urged to remain vigilant and alert for
suspicious person(s) and activities and to report anything suspicious to the
Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101. Tips also may be submitted anonymously online
at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Vermont State Police
also is requesting the public and businesses in the Castleton area to review
their surveillance systems and game cameras for the possible suspect from early
afternoon to evening hours of October 5.
This investigation is
on-going and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit,
Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search
Team, Victim Services Unit and Castleton Police Department.
No further information is
available at this time. Vermont State Police will provide updates as the
investigation continues.
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