Connecticut Man Faces Charges in Disturbing Homicide Investigation

A 68-year-old Connecticut man has confessed to beating his female roommate to death with a baseball bat during an argument over crack cocaine before dismembering her body and leaving it in a suitcase near a cemetery.

Key Takeaways

Donald Coffel has been charged with murder, tampering with evidence, and disposing of a dead body in the killing of 58-year-old Suzanne Wormser in Groton, Connecticut.
Police found evidence including a baseball bat with blood and hair, a hand saw, and blood-stained clothing at the residence shared by Coffel and the victim.
Despite multiple human remains discoveries across New England, authorities have repeatedly stated there is no evidence of a serial killer, contrary to widespread social media speculation.
A Facebook group fueling serial killer theories has gained over 68,000 followers despite police debunking these connections.
Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick has assured the public that Groton remains “among the safest communities in the Northeast.”

Gruesome Murder Solved as Police Make Arrest

Groton, Connecticut police have arrested 68-year-old Donald Coffel for the murder of Suzanne Wormser, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a suitcase near a cemetery on March 19. Coffel, who was Wormser’s roommate, faces charges of murder, tampering with evidence, and disposing of a dead body. Authorities believe the 58-year-old victim’s remains were left in the cemetery area in mid-March. During the investigation, police uncovered damning evidence at their shared residence, including a baseball bat with blood and hair, a hand saw, and blood-stained clothing.

According to authorities, Coffel confessed to killing Wormser during an argument over crack cocaine. He allegedly beat her with a baseball bat before attempting to conceal the crime by dismembering and disposing of her body. The suspect is currently being held on a $1 million bond while receiving treatment for cancer. Groton Police Chief David Burton emphasized that this was a targeted attack between individuals who knew each other, not a random act of violence that would suggest a broader threat to public safety.

Social Media Fuels Serial Killer Speculation

The discovery of Wormser’s remains, along with several other unrelated human remains found across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, has sparked widespread rumors of a serial killer operating in New England. A Facebook group dedicated to this theory has amassed over 68,000 followers, with thousands joining in recent weeks despite the group being forced to change its name due to social media policies. Law enforcement agencies across the three states have repeatedly stated there is no evidence connecting these cases.

“There is no information that links our incident to anything else that took place within the state or outside in the surrounding area.” – David Burton

In Narragansett, Rhode Island, authorities conducted a search at Scarborough Beach based on an online tip about buried bodies, but found nothing. The tip was later determined to be fictional. Other cases being erroneously linked include deaths in Springfield and Salem, Massachusetts, and Killingly, Connecticut, which police have confirmed are unrelated incidents with different circumstances and causes.

Officials Attempt to Calm Public Fears

Despite repeated assurances from law enforcement that no serial killer threat exists, public anxiety remains high throughout the region. Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick addressed these concerns directly in a public statement, attempting to reassure residents about their safety. In New Haven, Connecticut, police identified another victim, Denise Leary, whose cause of death remains undetermined but is not suspected to involve criminal activity. Authorities have explicitly stated they see no connection between the Wormser case and other regional cases.

“During the course of the police department’s investigation, there have been many rumors and unsubstantiated fear-mongering taking place on social media, making this city and surrounding communities seem like unsafe places to live. I’m here to assure you that the City of Groton is among the safest communities in the Northeast.” – Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick

The Connecticut State Police further reinforced this message, stating, “There is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar remains discoveries, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time.” Law enforcement officials across the three states continue to urge the public to avoid spreading misinformation on social media and to report any credible information directly to police rather than sharing unsubstantiated theories online.