Update No. 1: Derby Barracks / Missing person - death investigation

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

 

CASE#: 26A5003595

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Aaron Leonard

STATION: VSP Derby Barracks

CONTACT#: 802-334-8881

 

DATE/TIME: 06/26/2026 8PM

INCIDENT LOCATION: Pepin Road, Brownington

 

 

MISSING PERSON: Nicole Richardson

AGE: 39

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Troy, VT

 

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

In the evening hours of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, while troopers were conducting follow-up investigation related to the disappearance of Nicole Richardson, troopers were dispatched to a report of a woman in distress in the Clyde River near Vermont Route 105 in the village of West Charleston.

 

A short time later, a bystander and a Vermont game warden located the woman a short distance downriver. She was unresponsive when she was brought to shore. The woman was identified as Nicole Richardson. She was transported by ambulance to North Country Hospital in Newport, where she was pronounced deceased.

 

Subsequent investigation has revealed the death is not suspicious and is believed to be the result of an accidental drowning. Independent witness statements indicate Richardson voluntarily went into the river and was quickly overpowered by the swift current.

 

Her body will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of her death.

 

***Initial news release, 6:10 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2026***

On June 29th, 2026, at approximately 1312 hours the Vermont State Police Derby barracks received a report of a missing person. Nicole Richardson, age 39 of Troy, VT, was reported to have been last seen at a residence on Pepin Road in Brownington, VT on Friday June 26th at approximately 8PM. Richardson was expected to be traveling from Pepin Road, through Orleans, to Loop Road in Troy but did not arrive and has not been in contact with her family.

A recent photograph of Richardson is included. Richardson was last seen wearing a black and white dress as pictured and operating a maroon 2008 Hyundai Accent sedan bearing VT registration KVW103. Richardson's exact whereabouts are currently unknown. Anyone who has seen or has information on Richardson's whereabouts is asked to call the Vermont State Police Derby barracks at 802-334-8881, option 3.

 

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Rutland Barracks / Aggravated Domestic Assault

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

 

CASE #: 26B4004940

RANK / TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Daniel St. Clair                                

STATION: Rutland                     

CONTACT#: (802) 773-9101

 

DATE/TIME: June 28, 2026, at approximately 0129 hours

INCIDENT LOCATION: VT RT 31, Wells, Vermont

VIOLATION: Aggravated Domestic Assault, Interference with Access to Emergency Services

 

ACCUSED: Daryl Shaw

AGE: 37

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Wells, Vermont

 

VICTIM: (The Vermont State Police does not release the names of victims of domestic or sexual assault.)

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

 

On June 28, 2026, at approximately 0129 hours, Troopers from the Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks, responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the Town of Wells. Through investigation, it was determined Daryl Shaw, 37, of Wells, caused serious bodily injury to a family or household member. Shaw was taken into custody and transported to the Castleton Police Department for processing. A Judicial Officer was contacted and ordered Shaw held without bail. The Vermont State Police were assisted by the Castleton Police Department.

 

LODGED - LOCATION: N/A  

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: No

COURT ACTION: Yes

COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division

COURT DATE/TIME: June 29, 2026, at 12:30 PM

             

*Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm the arraignment time.

 

Berlin Barracks / Motor Vehicle Crash

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

 

CASE#: 26A3005244                                           

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Kevin Charney

STATION: Berlin Barracks                                  

CONTACT#: 802-229-9191

 

DATE/TIME: 06/30/2026 @ 1631 hours

STREET: US Route 2

TOWN: East Montpelier

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Towne Hill Road

INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A

WEATHER: Cloudy

ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Sarah Smith

AGE: 43     

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Randolph, MA

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2018

VEHICLE MAKE: Kia

VEHICLE MODEL: Soul

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Major front-end damage

INJURIES: Minor

HOSPITAL: No Transport

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Eugene Mulligan

AGE: 29     

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: West Danville, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2022

VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet

VEHICLE MODEL: Express

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Minor rear-end damage

INJURIES: None

HOSPITAL: N/A

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH:

 

On June 30, 2026, at approximately 1631 hours, Vermont State Police responded to the intersection of US Route 2 and Towne Hill Road in the Town of East Montpelier for a reported two vehicle crash.  Preliminary investigation indicated Vehicle 2 was traveling east on US Route 2 near the intersection of Towne Hill Road. Vehicle 1 was on US Route 2, following Vehicle 2 near the intersection of Towne Hill Road. Vehicle 2 slowed as another vehicle in front of them was making a left turn onto Towne Hill Road. At that time Vehicle 1 was unable to slow their vehicle in time to avoid a collision with Vehicle 2. Vehicle 1 collided with Vehicle 2 causing minor rear-end damage to Vehicle 2 and major front-end damage to Vehicle 1. Based on the evidence on scene and statements from operators, Vehicle 1 failed to slow their vehicle in time to avoid a collision with Vehicle 2.

 

Only minor injuries were reported by Operator 1 and Operator 2 reported no injuries. Vermont State Police were assisted by members of the East Montpelier Fire Department and East Montpelier EMS.

 

 

 

 

 

Berlin Barracks / MV Crash

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

 

CASE#: 26A3005228                                  

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Michael Maldonado

STATION: Berlin                     

CONTACT#: 802-229-9191

 

DATE/TIME: 06/30/2026 @ 1209 hours

STREET: Vt Route 64

TOWN: Williamstown

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: I – 89 N Exit 5 Off Ramp

WEATHER: Cloudy           

ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry

 

VEHICLE #1 

OPERATOR: Megan Cooley

AGE: 53

SEAT BELT? Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Williamstown, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2011

VEHICLE MAKE: Toyota

VEHICLE MODEL: Prius

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaled

INJURIES: Suspected minor

HOSPITAL: Central Vermont Medical Center

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Karen Daniels

AGE: 58

SEAT BELT? Yes

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Northfield, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2012

VEHICLE MAKE: Chevrolet

VEHICLE MODEL: Impala

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Heavy

INJURIES: None

HOSPITAL: N/A

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH: 

 

On the above date and time, Vermont State Police dispatch received a report of a two-car crash near the intersection of VT Route 64 and the Northbound Exit 5 Off Ramp in the Town of Williamstown. Preliminary investigation indicated that vehicle #1 was travelling East on VT Route 64 and was struck by vehicle #2, which was traveling Northbound on the Exit 5 Off Ramp. Operator #1 was transported to the Central Vermont Medical Center for suspected minor injuries. Operator #2 was uninjured.

 

The contributing factors and cause of the crash are still under investigation.

 

Troopers were assisted on scene by Barre Town EMS, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Williamstown Fire Department, and the Barre Town Fire Department.

 

LODGED - LOCATION: N/A        

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: N/A

COURT ACTION: N/A

COURT: N/A

COURT DATE/TIME: N/A

Rutland Barracks / Domestic Assault / Unlawful Restraint

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

 

CASE#: 26B4004376

RANK / TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Caden Lockwood                               

STATION: Rutland                     

CONTACT#: (802) 773-9101

 

DATE/TIME: 06/07/2026

INCIDENT LOCATION: Rutland Town, Vermont

VIOLATION: Domestic Assault / Unlawful Restraint

 

ACCUSED: David Hollister

AGE: 26

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland Town

 

(The Vermont State Police does not release the names of sexual assault or domestic violence.)

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 06/07/2026, at approximately 1247 hours, Troopers from the Vermont State Police Barracks responded to Business Route 4 for a domestic / family fight. Through investigation it was revealed that David Hollister (26) caused pain and restrained a family member.

 

Hollister was transported to the Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks for processing and released with a citation to appear in the Rutland County Superior Court on June 30th, 2026, at 12:30pm.

 

 

LODGED - LOCATION: N/A          

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: Yes

COURT ACTION: Yes

COURT: Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division

COURT DATE/TIME: at 12:30 PM

           

*Please note:  court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.