BROWNINGTON, VT — An autopsy was completed Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington.
The Vermont State Police identified the victim as Alton Wheeler, 79, of Brownington.
The medical examiner determined the cause of Wheeler’s death was a stab wound to the neck, and the manner of death was a homicide.
The suspect, 43-year-old Ariana Rodger of Newport, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Thursday and was ordered held without bail pending future court appearances.
***Update No. 1, 10:15 p.m. Wednesday***
The Vermont State Police arrested a suspect late Wednesday in connection with the killing of a man in Brownington.
Ariana Rodger, 43, of Newport, was taken into custody on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated domestic assault, and violation of conditions of release.
The court ordered Rodger jailed without bail pending arraignment, which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Newport.
The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing.
VSP will release the name of the victim following autopsy, which is expected to take place Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington.
The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Rodger’s arraignment.
***Initial news release, 8:25 a.m. Wednesday***
The Vermont State Police is investigating a suspicious death in the Orleans County town of Brownington.
The investigation began at about 2 a.m. Wednesday when police received a report of a deceased man at a property on Willoughby Lake Road.
First responders located a man dead inside the residence.
Initial investigation indicates this incident arose from a dispute involving individuals who knew each other.
Everyone associated with this matter is accounted for, and there is no identified danger to the public.
The victim’s body will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.
The state police will release the identity of the deceased man following further investigation and notification of his relatives.
This investigation is in its preliminary stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Search Team, Field Force Division and Victim Services Unit.
VSP asks that anyone with information that could assist investigators call the Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881 or submit an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
