Homicide investigation continues in Arlington, elderly woman dead

ARLINGTON—On Wednesday, Jan. 4, at about 10:30 p.m., the Vermont State Police received a 911 call reporting a deceased elderly woman inside a home at 440 Buck Hill Road.
The woman was later identified by police as Helen Jones, age 81, and was preliminarily identified as the sole resident at this address. Next of kin were notified.
The caller was identified as Jones’ neighbor, who had just been alerted by a friend of the Joneses, who reportedly went to check on the victim at the request of an out-of-state family member and discovered the body.
A Bennington County sheriff’s deputy was in the area and responded to the call. The deputy confirmed the report and notified the Vermont State Police to conduct a death investigation.
The scene was secured and the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit responded to lead the investigation. Detectives with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Crime Scene Search Team responded to assist. Initially, state police observed evidence of a suspected homicide, which has since been confirmed. The investigators have reported evidence of forced entry and stab wounds on the body.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington confirmed the cause and manner of death to be a homicide.
Vermont State Police investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who has information regarding suspicious activity in the area of Buck Hill Road in Arlington during this past week. Burglaries in the area had been previously reported.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Major Crime Unit Detectives at the Shaftsbury barracks at 802-442-5421, or submit an anonymous tip at www. vtips.info. Edward Damon can be reached at 802-447-7567, ext. 111 or @edamon_banner.