The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has positively identified the human remains found on Lenox Mountain as Susan Lockwood.
On Friday, February 9th Massachusetts State Police resumed a search for Ms. Lockwood based on a report of a hiking boot with evidence of human remains found off a trail on Lenox Mountain. The person making the report was hiking on a Lenox Mountain trail. He stated that he stepped off the hiking trail to retrieve his dog who was sniffing something in the woods. When the hiker reached his dog, he observed a hiking boot with evidence of human remains inside. Massachusetts State Police, including members from the Lee Barracks, State Police Detective Unit, State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) and Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS) arrived at a trailhead on Lenox Mountain in Richmond, MA. State Police then set up a response station in Lenox, MA and walked to the identified area of where the hiker had seen the hiking boot. When the Massachusetts State Police recovered the boot, they turned it over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. State Police noted that the hiking boot was found in the radius of the area they had conducted a focused searches for Susan Lockwood after she had gone missing.
Due to the late time of day, and with darkness approaching, the SERT Team planned to resume a search of the area on February 11th. On the 11th the SERT Team, who was also joined by the volunteers of Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue, conducted a search of the area but were unsuccessful in locating any evidence of human belongings or remains.
On Monday, February 12th a search of the area continued. When a State Police Trooper and his K-9 partner were canvasing land near a cliff, the K-9 alerted prompting the trooper to closely investigate the area. The Trooper located evidence of clothing and human remains at the bottom of the cliff. The trooper recovered a fully intact skull along with other human remains and personal items. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of the items to process them and make an identification.
On Wednesday, February 14th, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner positively identified the remains as those of Susan Lockwood’s based on dental records.
The cause and manor of death is undetermined at this time; however, no foul play or suspicious acts are believed to have played a part in Ms. Lockwood’s death.
The District Attorney’s Office has been in contact with Ms. Lockwood’s husband. District Attorney Shugrue is grateful for the dedicated work of law enforcement and emergency response personnel. He sends his sincerest condolences to Ms. Lockwood’s husband, family, and friends.
Law Enforcement and emergency response involved throughout the search include:
- Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue
- Massachusetts State Police, Lee Barracks
- Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit
- Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team
- Massachusetts State Police K-9 Unit
- Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section
- Lenox Police Department
- Lenox Fire Department