Two weeks have passed since the body of a local insurance executive and mother was found on the side of a busy road in Simsbury and police said at a press conference that they are still investigating leads and stepping up patrols.
Melissa Millan, a 54-year-old mother and a senior vice president at Mass Mutual Insurance, was found on Iron Horse Boulevard in downtown Simsbury around 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 with a stab wound to the chest and transported to Saint Francis Hospital, where she died, police said.
Millan's death has been ruled a homicide and police have heightened patrols in response to this crime, which has placed the quiet, suburban community on edge. Police have not identified any suspects.
"We have not determined if this is random or not at this particular time," Simsbury Police Chief Peter N. Ingvertsen said.
Millan was killed with an edged weapon, Ingvertsen said, declining to comment further on the specific type of weapon.
The incident happened while Millan was jogging on or in the area of the bike trail on the Farmington Valley Greenway, he said. A passing motorist spotted her lying "on the paved portion of the northbound lane" on Iron Horse Boulevard just north of the Phelps Lane intersection, he said.
The police searched the "immediate area" several times the night of the stabbing and did expanded searches in the days following at varied times. Detectives conducted several interviews with Millan's family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances and with people who didn't know her but "called in relevant information," Ingvertsen said. Officers "have gathered" and "analyzed many items that may be of evidentiary value," he said. Investigators will do several more interviews and a "meticulous reviews of potential evidence," according to Ingvertsen.
The State Police Major Crimes Unit, Avon, Granby, Farmington Canton and Bloomfield police are assisting with the investigation.
Ingvertsen encouraged residents to keep using the nearby bike trail as they normally would, but to "play it safe," bring a running buddy and remain vigilant of their surroundings and to report anything suspicious to police.
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"The town of Simsbury is generally very safe," Ingvertsen said. "Fortunately, crimes of this magnitude do not happen frequently in our community. But when they do occur, the natural reaction is to question public and personal safety. This is normal under the circumstances. Our advice is to take general day and day precautions. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity."
He said police are investigating all information provided by the public pertaining to the case and are following leads.
"Some of the leads have been discredited while others have proved to be of more benefit to the investigation," Ingvertsen said.
The news conference was brief and police do not make any announcements on suspects, arrests or a motive in the case.
"We are very cautious on releasing any of the information.... worrying that it will set the individual or individuals in another direction. So, we are very protective of the information that we have," Ingvertsen said.
Extra patrols will continue in the Iron Horse Boulevard area "for an undetermined amount of time," he said.
"The department has dedicated significant resources to the investigation and will continue to work dilligently to hold the person or persons accountable."
Anyone with information that can help police should call detectives at 860-658-3145.
