by VDC staff

The Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the body recovered Oct. 7 in Wallingford as Rodney Davis, 62, and determined he died by suicide, Vermont State Police said Wednesday.

Davis had been the subject of an intensive search that began Sept. 19, when troopers responded to a report that he had caused serious injury to a family or household member before fleeing into nearby woods while armed with a firearm. Police made brief phone contact, but communication was lost when his cellphone is believed to have powered down.

On Oct. 7, the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team located human remains in the woods near Davis’ Nash Drive home. The body was transported to Burlington for autopsy and formal identification. No further details have been released.

Officials noted that suicide affects many Vermonters. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988, or by texting “VT” to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. Additional resources are available at facingsuicidevt.com.

Newbury man cited after 118-mph stop

In an unrelated case, a Newbury man was cited for DUI, excessive speed, and negligent driving after police say he was clocked at 118 mph on Interstate 91 early Tuesday, the Journal-Opinion reports.

Jeffrey G. Nolan, 30, is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court later this month.

Motorcycle crash delays trial in assault case

A motorcycle crash last week that seriously injured a Ryegate man has delayed his second trial on aggravated felonious sexual assault charges in New Hampshire.

Max Fournier, a former corrections officer at the Grafton County House of Corrections, is accused of committing the assault in 2019. His first trial ended in February when a judge declared a mistrial due to juror misconduct.

A retrial had been scheduled to begin Monday, but was postponed after Fournier was hospitalized following the crash. A status conference in the case is set for December.