East Hampton Woman's Body Found in Shallow Grave

The body found along a dirt trail in Glastonbury on Saturday is that of a 30-year-old East Hampton woman who had been missing since July, according to Glastonbury police.

The state medical examiner has identified the remains as those of Jini Barnum and her death was ruled a homicide. She died of traumatic asphyxia, or neck compression, officials from the medical examiner's office said on Tuesday.

The last time Barnum was seen alive was July 28. She left home after a disagreement with her boyfriend, according to police.

Barnum was the mother of an infant and the child was in the care of family members when she disappeared.

A Glastonbury woman found Barnum's remains while walking her dog along Windham Road just after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

“She [found what she] believed to be a shallow grave. We responded out there and confirmed her suspicions,” said Sgt. Rich McKeon, from the Glastonbury Police Department.

Chris Damon, of the Middletown Fraternal Order of Eagles, said Barnum's mother is coming to Connecticut from her home in Arizona tomorrow after police informed her of the discovery of Jini's remains.

Barnum was a member and the Eagles organized search parties after her disappearance. 

"We searched all over East Hampton, Haddam Neck, Portland - we just didn't make it to Glastonbury," Damon said.

Police in Glastonbury and East Hampton are collaborating in the investigation.

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