STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

Vermont State Police investigation continues into death of Tonia Bushway

WEATHERSFIELD, Vermont (Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021) — The Vermont State Police investigation into the death of Tonya Bushway is active and ongoing. The cause and manner of Bushway’s death remains undetermined. Investigators have been unable to substantiate that her death involved foul play or is in any way suspicious at this time. Once complete, the case will be sent to the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

The state police would still like to hear from anyone who might have any information that could be relevant to the investigation. People should call Detective Trooper Zachary Gauthier at the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600, or submit a tip online anonymously at http://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

***Update No. 1, 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2021***

Investigators with the Vermont State Police have received the autopsy report from the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office and are able to provide the following update on this case.

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the decedent as Tonia Bushway, 50, of Weathersfield. Due to the condition of the remains, the autopsy was inconclusive as to the cause and manner of Ms. Bushway’s death, although the Medical Examiner’s Office noted the absence of any apparent injuries.

VSP’s investigation into this death is ongoing, and police continue to ask that anyone with information contact Detective Trooper Zachary Gauthier at the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600. Tips also may be submitted online anonymously at http://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

No further information is available.

***Initial VSP news release, 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021***

The Vermont State Police is investigating the discovery of human remains in the town of Weathersfield on Wednesday morning, Oct. 6, 2021.

The remains are believed to be those of Tonia Bushway, 50, of Weathersfield, who has been missing since early July. The Weathersfield Police Department has been leading the missing persons investigation.

As part of Weathersfield police’s ongoing investigation, the department on Wednesday requested the assistance of the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team and New England K9 to search properties in the area of Bushway’s home on Little Ascutney Road. At about 9:45 a.m., New England K9 located human remains on a parcel of land adjacent to Bushway’s property.

The Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene Search Team responded to the location and worked throughout the day to process the area. Investigation at the scene indicates that the remains are those of Bushway. Police stayed on the scene until concluding work late in the evening. The remains are being brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, and confirm identity.

The case began when the Weathersfield Police Department received a report July 13 that Bushway was missing. Her family reported that a friend of hers told them Bushway was last seen at her residence, 514 Little Ascutney Road, about two weeks earlier, on July 2.

The Vermont State Police is leading the death investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Trooper Zachary Gauthier at the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600. Tips also may be submitted online anonymously at http://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

No further information is available. The state police will provide updates as the investigation continues.

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