GROTON, Conn. — Donald Coffel, 68, has been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and the disposal of a dead body in connection with the death of his roommate, 56-year-old Wormser. Coffel’s charges were filed in Connecticut Superior Court after the discovery of Wormser’s body on March 19, although investigators believe her remains were abandoned at a cemetery in mid-March.
Coffel allegedly confessed to the crime during his third police interview, stating that he beat Wormser with a baseball bat following an argument over crack cocaine. According to an arrest warrant obtained by FOX 61, police found a bat covered in blood and hair, as well as a hand saw and women’s clothing with what appeared to be blood stains inside the residence Coffel shared with Wormser.
Coffel is currently being held on a $1 million bond. He appeared at a hearing from the hospital on Monday, where he is undergoing treatment for cancer, FOX 61 reported.
Authorities discovered Wormser’s body after a passerby noticed a luggage bag placed near trash cans by Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. Inside the bag, investigators found a human torso. The case has raised concerns due to the subsequent discovery of 11 human remains across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts between March and April, which has led to speculation online about a possible serial killer.
Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick addressed these concerns during a press conference on Monday, assuring the public that the city remains one of the safest communities in the Northeast. He also confirmed that Coffel’s arrest is the first in a series of investigations into the human remains found across the region.
“The rumors and fear-mongering on social media have been unsubstantiated,” Mayor Hedrick said. “I want to assure our community that we are doing everything possible to ensure public safety.”
Coffel’s arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, though authorities suggest there may be further developments.
