by Mike Donoghue
Vermont News First

Vermont State Police have identified the victim of a fatal Valentine’s Day shooting during what was initially reported as an apparent domestic dispute in the town of Corinth in Orange County.

Jeremy Kawalec, 25, of Corinth died from a “gunshot wound to head,” according to an autopsy by the office of Vermont’s Chief Medical Examiner, police said.  

However, the manner of death is listed as “pending” by the doctor, state police spokesman Adam Silverman said.

The shooting happened at the home of Donna Guillette, 24, at 2290 Richardson Road, town records show. 

Silverman said Tuesday “Further investigation by detectives into this incident has determined that the death is not suspicious.” He did not elaborate.

That is in contrast to the initial state police press release that said troopers were “investigating a suspicious death” in Corinth.

The initial new release issued on Sunday also told the public that “VSP’s preliminary investigation indicates this incident arose from a dispute involving people who knew each another. Everyone associated with this matter is accounted for, and there is no identified danger to the public.”

State police offered no explanation Tuesday for the change in their assessment.

State troopers said they were alerted about 11:15 p.m. Saturday concerning a man shot at the mobile home.  Responding state troopers located an unresponsive man inside the residence, police said.

The body was eventually sent to Burlington for an autopsy, which was delayed until Tuesday due to the President’s Day weekend holiday.