A Connecticut resident, Donald Coffel, is facing murder charges following the gruesome discovery of a woman’s torso in a suitcase near a cemetery. The victim, 58-year-old Suzanne Wormser, was allegedly killed by Coffel over a dispute involving $200 worth of cocaine. Coffel is accused of living with Wormser’s body in their shared apartment for over a week before dismembering her and disposing of her remains.
The investigation began on March 19 when a passerby reported a foul smell emanating from a suitcase near the entrance of Colonel Ledyard Cemetery in Groton. Upon inspection, police discovered the torso of a woman, missing the head and other extremities. The police released a statement about the incident on April 11, prompting Wormser’s sister to contact them, expressing concern over not having heard from Wormser for several months.
Further investigation led the police to Wormser’s apartment on Allen Street, less than 1,000 feet from the cemetery. Coffel, who had previously lived with Wormser, was identified as a person of interest. Neighbors reported not having seen Wormser for months and mentioned that Coffel was currently hospitalized. Upon entering the apartment, police found evidence of a violent crime, including blood stains and a baseball bat with traces of dried blood and hair.
Coffel, who was receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer, was interviewed at the hospital. He admitted to living with Wormser since late November after returning from Arizona. He described Wormser as having drug and mental health issues and stated that he tolerated her because she allowed him to live in the apartment.
Coffel claimed that Wormser was present when he returned home from back surgery in late January but disappeared shortly after. He suggested that her disappearance occurred between January and February, stating that it was not unusual for her to leave for a few days at a time.
Meanwhile, DNA testing confirmed that the blood found in the apartment matched the remains discovered in the suitcase. On April 22, a witness contacted detectives, claiming that Coffel had confessed to killing Wormser with a baseball bat over stolen cocaine. When confronted with this information, Coffel eventually admitted to the crime.
Coffel allegedly killed Wormser in early January, angered over the missing drugs. He confessed to hitting her in the head three times with the bat, killing her. He then lived with her body for over a week before dismembering her with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains in trash bags and a suitcase, which he left at the cemetery.
Coffel was arrested at the hospital following the issuance of a murder warrant. Despite initial rumors of a potential serial killer due to the gruesome nature of the crime, police have confirmed that Coffel is the sole suspect. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond.