The Vermont State Police are investigating a suspicious death reported Sunday morning in the Addison County town of Hancock.
Police were called at about 10:30 a.m. Feb. 8 to a report of an altercation at a property on Bettis Road. First responders located a man dead inside a vehicle near the scene. Initial investigation indicates the incident stemmed from a dispute involving people who knew one another. Police said everyone associated with the incident has been accounted for and there is no danger to the public.
The man’s body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. State police said the victim’s identity will be released following further investigation and notification of next of kin. The case remains in its early stages and involves the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Search Team, Field Force Division and Victim Services Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933 or submit an anonymous tip online.
Separately, Vermont State Police responded to a serious two-vehicle crash Monday morning in the town of Peru. At about 7:31 a.m. Feb. 9, troopers were called to Vermont Route 11 near Ethan Allen Trail, where investigators determined a southbound 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 operated by Brian Lawrence, 44, of Londonderry crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2021 Cadillac XT6 driven by Timothy Surdam, 62, of Nashua, New Hampshire, head-on. Both vehicles were totaled. Lawrence and Surdam sustained minor injuries and were taken to Southwest Vermont Medical Center. A juvenile passenger in the Dodge and a 66-year-old passenger in the Cadillac, Kendra Surdam of Nashua, were airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with severe injuries. The roadway was closed for a time while emergency crews cleared the scene.
Domestic violence and assault incidents reported by state police include the following:
- Shane Salls, 43, of Waterbury, was arrested after troopers responded to a reported dispute on Center Trailer Park Road in Waterbury. Police said Salls committed simple assault and domestic assault. He was processed at the Berlin Barracks and cited to appear in court on Feb. 6, 2026.
- Matilda Adelaide, 39, of Peacham, was cited for aggravated assault following an altercation Feb. 5 at a residence on Peacham Pond Road. Police said Patrick Gomez, 63, of Marshfield, was the victim. Adelaide is scheduled to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on Feb. 6.
- Matilde Fuentes Camacho, 52, of Addison, was cited for simple assault after troopers responded Feb. 3 to a reported dispute in the town of Addison. Police said Camacho knowingly caused bodily injury to Nerio Jimenez De La Rosa, 27, also of Addison. She is due in Addison County Superior Court on March 23.
VSP mug shots, clockwise from top left: Mulligan, Bridgeman, Wright, Royer, Kagunda, Cain.
Multiple DUI arrests and citations were also reported statewide:
- Vera Langmaid, 45, of St. Johnsbury, was taken into custody Feb. 5 on Eastern Avenue after troopers located her and confirmed an outstanding warrant related to DUI and providing false information to law enforcement. She was held on $200 bail.
- Davis Royer, 46, of Colrain, Massachusetts, was arrested Feb. 3 following a single-vehicle slide-off on Interstate 91 in Brattleboro. Police said Royer showed signs of impairment and provided false information to an officer. He is cited to appear March 31.
- Autumn-Vixxxen McAuliffe, 45, was cited for DUI after a single-vehicle crash Feb. 2 on I-91 in Westminster. Troopers said signs of impairment were observed at the hospital.
- John M. Mulligan, 66, of East Patchogue, New York, was arrested Jan. 30 on Magic Mountain Access Road in Londonderry on suspicion of DUI following a reported crash.
- Anna C. Wright, 27, of Middlebury, was arrested early Feb. 5 after troopers responded to a vehicle off the roadway in Weybridge and observed indicators of impairment.
- Jonathan Bridgman, 54, of Morrisville, was arrested Feb. 3 for DUI after a traffic stop in Morristown for an expired registration.
- Aimee R. Harrison, 52, of Newfane, was arrested Feb. 8 after a single-vehicle crash on East West Road in Dummerston, where troopers reported signs of impairment.
- Brian Wolf, 27, of Manhattan, New York, was arrested Feb. 8 following a reported single-vehicle crash in Hinesburg where police said the operator was passed out and impaired by drugs. He was held on $200 bail.
- Everett Haddock, 24, of St. Albans, was arrested Feb. 7 after troopers found a disabled vehicle in the median of I-89 in Swanton and determined the operator was under the influence.
- Shingai Kagunda, 29, of Royalton, was arrested following a traffic stop on Vermont Route 14 in Royalton after troopers observed signs of impairment.
- Cale Cain, 38, of Wallingford, Connecticut, was arrested Feb. 6 in Brattleboro after police received reports of erratic driving. Troopers said Cain was impaired by drugs and operating while criminally suspended.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.