The human remains found in a wooded area in New Haven last week have been identified as those of a 59-year-old woman who had missing for nearly six months, authorities said Tuesday.
Denise Leary, who authorities said had paranoid schizophrenia, was reported missing on Sept. 30, 2024.
Police said she was last seen at her home near Rock Creek Road in New Haven, NBC Connecticut reported at the time.
Last Thursday, New Haven police officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Rock Creek Road after residents reported the discovery of human remains.
The remains — found while residents were clearing brush in a wooded area behind the house — were “in an advanced state of decay,” and as a result, officials couldn’t determine the person’s identity, gender or race.
On Tuesday, after an autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, officials confirmed them as belonging to Leary.
The cause and manner of death were still pending, police said.