Vermont State Police have released a composite sketch of a man believed to be connected to the shooting death of 77-year-old retiree Honoree Fleming on a popular hiking trail in Castleton. The sketch, drawn by a composite sketch artist with the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in Maine, shows a man with short, disheveled hair, a round face, and big eyes. Witnesses reported seeing the same individual behaving oddly just moments before discovering Fleming’s remains on the trail.
The suspect, described as approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall with red hair, was last seen wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack, heading north on the trail. Police have classified him as both a suspect and a person of interest and have warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities have received numerous tips in the case and are urging anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information to contact the Vermont State Police. Local residents, business owners, and hunters with trail cameras have also been asked to review their images for any suspicious activity between 3 and 5 p.m. on the day of the murder.
Honoree Fleming, a retired educator and former dean of education at Vermont State University Castleton Campus, was found dead near the campus entrance of the trail. She was wearing a white and blue striped shirt, black pants, and black sneakers. Police are also seeking information from anyone who may have seen her alive earlier in the day.
Fleming’s husband, Ron Powers, is a renowned journalist and author. He has co-written books such as “Flags of Our Fathers” and assisted the late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy with his memoir, “True Compass.”
The Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail, where the murder took place, spans approximately 20 miles along the border between Vermont and New York. It is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders, and is seasonally accessible to snowmobiles and cross-country skiers.
While classes have resumed on the campus, police presence in the area has been increased, and patrols are being conducted regularly.
The investigation into the murder of Honoree Fleming is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
