(Host) Burlington police have released additional information about the death of Michelle Gardner-Quinn, the University of Vermont student who was reported missing ten days ago.
Gardner-Quinn’s body was found on Friday. On Monday afternoon, Lieutenant Kathleen Stubbing spoke to reporters in Burlington:
(Stubbing) “The Vermont Medical Examiner’s office has completed Michelle’s exam. We have some preliminary results. The manner of death has been classified a homicide with the cause of death pending. The cause of death will be listed as soon as test results from the medical exam and additional information from the investigation becomes available.”
(Host) Police are asking the public’s assistance in finding several items that Gardner-Quinn had with her when she disappeared. These include:
– A silver chandelier-hoop earring
– a black Puma purse with a white strap
– one black low-top Converse sneaker
– a Kyocera cell phone, model KX414
Pictures of these items will be available on the Burlington Police web site at www.bpdvt.org.
Police would not discuss the cause of death, or whether Gardner-Quinn was killed before she was taken to a remote area of Richmond, where her body was found last week. The student disappeared after becoming separated from a group of friends in downtown Burlington.
Meanwhile, the man suspected in her disappearance has been ordered held for lack of $150,000 bail.
Thirty-six-year-old Brian L. Rooney faces sex-related charges in Essex and Caledonia counties that date to 1996 and 1998.
He pleaded not guilty to those charges in Saint Johnsbury.
He also says he had nothing to do with Gardner-Quinn’s disappearance.
Police have described Rooney as a chief suspect in the case.
Rooney says he walked up Main Street with Gardner-Quinn on October Seventh. But he adds they went in different directions and he never saw her again.
No charges have been filed in Burlington.