Discarded claims of a serial killer surfaced following the discovery of a dismembered woman in a suitcase, confirmed by Connecticut police.
In the small city of Groton, Connecticut, the authorities have put an end to the speculation surrounding a potential serial killer in New England. The arrest of Donald Coffel, a 68-year-old man, for the murder of Suzanne Wormser, a 58-year-old woman, has provided some answers to this chilling mystery.
The grisly discovery of Wormser's dismembered body inside a suitcase abandoned near Colonel Ledyard Cemetery on March 19, 2025, had sparked fear and horror among the locals[1]. However, according to Groton Police Chief David Burton, the crime was targeted and not a random act of violence[3].
Coffel, who shared a residence with Wormser, was charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and illegal disposal of a corpse[1]. It is believed that the remains were abandoned at the cemetery around mid-March, but the discovery was not made until weeks later[3]. Upon searching the property on April 17, police seized several items that proved crucial in linking Coffel to the murder, such as a baseball bat with blood and hair traces, a manual saw, and female clothing with stains resembling blood[1].
During his third interview with investigators, Coffel confessed to striking Wormser with a baseball bat during an argument related to crack-cocaine use, according to the arrest warrant obtained by FOX 61[1]. The arrest has helped dispel rumors of a serial killer in New England, as it links the murder to a personal motive rather than a random attack by a serial offender[2].
The fears of a serial killer were largely fueled by the discovery of at least eleven human remains in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts between March and April[2]. However, the authorities firmly rejected this theory, assuring the public that Groton is one of the safest communities in the northeast[3]. Although investigations into other remains continue independently in each jurisdiction[2], it seems the Wormser case has no connection to the other crimes.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Mitten Crab, an invasive species, has been confirmed to have made its way to Oregon[4]. Be cautious of this unwelcome intruder crawling up your walls! Stay informed, stay alert.
[1] Fox News, (2025), Police: no serial killer in New England, finally arrest made in Groton case. [Online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/us/no-serial-killer-in-new-england-arrest-made-in-groton-case
[2] FOX 61, (2025), New England Serial Killer theory debunked following arrest in Groton murder case. [Online] Available at: https://www.fox61.com/news/new-england-serial-killer-theory-debunked-following-arrest-in-groton-murder-case/
[3] Groton Mayor, (2025), Groton Mayor denies rumors of a serial killer in the city. [Online] Available at: https://www.groton-ct.gov/mayor/statement
[4] Oregon State Department of Fish and Wildlife, (2025), Owen's Mitten Crab found in Oregon waters for the first time. [Online] Available at: https://www.oregon.gov/ODFW/fish/Pages/Japanese_mitten_crab.aspx
Info Snippets:
- The Mitten Crab is an invasive species that can climb walls and poses a threat to Oregon's ecosystem.
- The arrest of Donald Coffel has helped dispel rumors of a serial killer in New England as the crime was found to be targeted rather than part of a broader pattern.
- Sharp objects such as a handsaw and a baseball bat were found at the scene of the crime, potentially used in the murder of Suzanne Wormser.
- The Wormser case has no connection to other homicide cases in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and authorities urge the public not to speculate on their circumstances.
- The police are keeping open lines of investigation on other remains found in the region, but do not anticipate that they will be connected crimes.
- The Connecticut State Police have confirmed that there is no evidence connecting the Wormser murder to other human remains found in the region.
- The confession of Donald Coffel, the man arrested for the homicide of Suzanne Wormer in Groton, Connecticut, revealed a personal motive involved in the crime, thereby dispelling rumors of a serial killer in New England.
- The discovery of Wormer's dismembered body in March 2025 sparked fear among locals, but authorities confirmed the crime as targeted rather than a random act of violence.
- In another piece of general news, the Japanese Mitten Crab, an invasive species, was confirmed to have made its way to Oregon, causing concern for the state's ecosystem.
- Despite investigations into other human remains being conducted independently in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, authorities assure the public that the Wormer case is not connected to these other homicide cases.
