Suspicious Death St. J.

[Chris Santee]

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
ST. JOHNSBURY FIELD STATION

** PRESS RELEASE **
DATE OF RELEASE:     December 28, 2009
RELEASED BY:  Sgt. Tara Thomas, Public Information Officer @ 802-241-5277

INCIDENT:    Suspicious Death

CASE #:  09B104208
DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT:   December 28, 2009 at approximately 0953 hours       

LOCATION:  Green Mountain Mall
2000 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT

VICTIM:  Identity is being withheld at this time

ACCUSED:  Identity is being withheld at this time

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
At approximately 0953 hours the Vermont State Police received at 9-1-1 call for a woman who had collapsed in the parking lot of the Green Mountain Mall in St. Johnsbury.  While on with 9-1-1, it was discovered that the female was deceased, and it appeared her death was a result of violent means.  Several Troopers along with the assistance of a K-9 Unit from the Lyndonville Police Department responded to the scene. 

A short time later, police located a potential suspect in the area.  That subject was also suffering from an apparent self inflicted wound and is currently being treated for his injuries.   

The identity of the deceased and the male subject is being withheld at this time.  Information is limited as this is a rapidly evolving investigation.  Once more information becomes available; an updated press release will be issued, which is expected for late afternoon, early evening.

[Chris Santee]

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
ST. JOHNSBURY FIELD STATION

** PRESS RELEASE **

DATE OF RELEASE:     December 28, 2009
RELEASED BY:  Sgt. Tara Thomas, Public Information Officer @ 802-241-5277

INCIDENT:    Homicide
CASE #:  09B104208
DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT:   December 28, 2009 at approximately 0953 hours       

LOCATION: Green Mountain Mall
2000 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT

VICTIM:  Anna Berwick, age 45 St. Johnsbury, VT

ACCUSED: Ben Berwick, age 49 Lyndon, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
At approximately 0953 hours the Vermont State Police received at 9-1-1 call for a woman who had been found unresponsive in the parking lot of the Green Mountain Mall in St. Johnsbury.  Rescue then responded and it was determined that the female was deceased, and it appeared her death was a result of a violent act.  The female was later identified as Anna Berwick (age 45) of  St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Several Troopers along with the assistance of a K-9 Unit from the Lyndonville Police Department responded to the scene.  A short time later, police located a potential suspect, in the area, who was later identified as Ben Berwick (age 49) currently of Lyndon, Vermont.

Ben Berwick emerged from the woods behind the mall and was suffering from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.  He was then initially transported to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.  Berwick was later transferred to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is currently listed in stable condition.

Ben Berwick is the estranged husband of Anna. The two have been separated.  In December of this year, Anna had been granted a Restraining Order against Ben in the Caledonia Family Court.

Vermont State Police Detectives, members of the State Police Crime Scene Search Team and the Chief Medical Examiner’s office responded to St. Johnsbury to investigate. The victim, Anna Berwick, was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death. 

This investigation is ongoing and the victim’s death is being treated as a homicide.

[Chris Santee]

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
ST. JOHNSBURY FIELD STATION

** UPDATED PRESS RELEASE **

DATE OF RELEASE: December 29, 2009

INCIDENT:  Homicide
CASE #:  09B104208

DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT:   December 28, 2009 at approximately 0953 hours       
LOCATION: Green Mountain Mall
2000 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT

VICTIM: Anna Berwick, age 45 St. Johnsbury, VT

ACCUSED: Benjamin Berwick, age 49 Lyndon, VT

DETAILS:
During the day of December 29, 2009 the Vermont State Police continued their investigation into the death of Anna Berwick, age 45 of St. Johnsbury.  Further interviews were conducted and potential evidence was collected and forwarded to the Vermont Forensic Laboratory for further analysis.
                   
An autopsy was performed on Anna Berwick at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, VT earlier today.  The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was the result of a sharp edge weapon/stabbing.  The manner of death is being ruled a homicide.

An arrest warrant, for the charge of homicide, has been issued through the Caledonia District Court for Benjamin Berwick, age 49.  Berwick is currently listed in stable condition at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire where he is being treated for a self inflicted gunshot wound.   The Grafton County Sheriff's Department is currently working on the extradition process of Benjamin Berwick back to Vermont.

All media inquiries should be directed to the Caledonia State's Attorney's Office.  All future press releases will be issued from the Caledonia State’s Attorney Office regarding this investigation.