By Guy Page

Vermont State Police are investigating the recent deaths of two Vermonters. The incidents are not related and the investigations are being conducted separately. 

State police say the body of Steven Michael Foster, 44, of Washington VT was found at about 4:20 p.m. Aug. 6 on the bank of the White River near the intersection of Pomfret Road and White River Lane in the Windsor County town of Pomfret. 

Foster initially was reported missing to the Royalton Police Department on July 22. Royalton PD had an active investigation that revealed Foster was last seen on July 21 headed toward the White River in Royalton. The body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy. A determination on the cause and manner of death is pending the final autopsy results, which can take several weeks or months to complete. 

Preliminary investigation indicates the death is not suspicious. The only reference to Foster turned up by a quick online search showed he had a scheduled June 5 status conference in criminal court in Washington County Superior Court.

The Vermont State Police also is investigating the death of Michele Demar, 33, of Northfield, whose body was found Aug. 3, near the intersection of Vermont Route 110 and Poor Farm Road in Washington.

An autopsy conducted at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington determined the cause of her death was hanging; the manner of death remains pending. Initial evidence gathered at the scene indicated the death is not suspicious, but this remains an open and active case.

Visitation for mourners was held on Monday, August 1 at the Northfield Bible Fellowship. According to her obituary, Demar is survived by two children, her parents, and other family. 

Demar was cited in June for grabbing a car steering wheel while a passenger, according to a news article in the Times-Argus. The driver reportedly refused her request to drive her to a location to buy drugs. She reportedly told the driver, “Well, I am going to die anyhow, so we’re both gonna die tonight.” The court record for her arraignment shows that she wrote above her signature, “Kill me plz.”

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