WILLIMANTIC, Conn. — A homicide investigation is underway in Willimantic after police said a woman was found dead in a basement on Saturday.
Police said they responded to the area of Chapman Street to investigate a report of a missing woman after receiving a call around 2 p.m. from her family that she had been unaccounted for since mid-morning.
The woman was a visiting nurse who had an appointment to see a patient at the address had had missed several other appointments scheduled for later in the day.
Officers were initially unable to locate the woman's car, but later found it at a nearby business a short distance away, police said.
When officers were at the home, they saw Michael Reese, 38, who lived there, running out of the rear door. Willimantic officers took him into custody. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, and larceny. He had several items belonging to the missing woman on him when he was arrested. Since he was in violation of his probation, he was held on $1 million bond. More charges from State Police are expected.
A K-9 unit arrived and led officers from the car to a residence where the woman was found dead in the basement.
In an arrest warrant, police described Reese as suspect in the murder of the missing woman.
Police said Rees had served time for Assault, sexual assault with the use of force. He was incarcerated in 2007 and released on probation in 2021. He had been in and out of treatment programs in the last two years, and was currently on GPS tracking.
The suspect was arrested on unrelated charges to the incident and was taken back to the police department while officers continued to investigate.
"This is a deeply troubling case on many levels, and one of the worst cases I have seen in 27 years in law enforcement," said Willimantic Police Chief Paul M. Hussey. "Our condolences go out to the family of the victim."
Police said there is no danger to the public at this time, and it appears to be an isolated incident. Windham State's Attorney Anne Mahoney directed the Eastern District Crime Unit to lead the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Connecticut State Police.
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