Unidentified Man Sketched in Connection with Vermont Hiking Trail Murder
Vermont State Police have unveiled a sketch of an unknown man spotted on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail in Castleton. This revelation comes after the tragic shooting of a 77-year-old retiree, Honoree Fleming, on the same trail last week.
The sketch portrays a man with short, untidy hair, a round face, and large eyes. It was created by a composite sketch artist from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in Maine, collaborating with state and local investigators.
This unidentified man is believed to be around 5 feet, 10 inches tall and has red hair. Witnesses last saw him wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack as he headed north on the trail.
This sketch was developed based on information from witnesses who saw someone of interest on the trail around the time of the shooting. Vermont State Police Captain Scott Dunlap addressed reporters during a Wednesday evening news briefing, urging anyone who recognizes the person in the sketch to come forward.
Witnesses reported observing the same individual acting strangely moments before discovering Fleming’s remains on the trail. Authorities have alternately referred to this man as both a suspect and a person of interest, emphasizing that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The motive behind this incident remains unclear. Dunlap noted, “We don’t know right now if it’s random or if it was targeted.”
Honoree Fleming, a retired educator, was found shot to death on October 5, 2023. She was a well-known figure at Vermont State University Castleton Campus, where she had served as the dean of education before retiring.
Hikers discovered Fleming’s lifeless body around 4:30 p.m. near the campus entrance of the trail. She was dressed in a white and blue striped shirt, black pants, and black sneakers. Authorities are seeking information from anyone who saw her alive earlier that day.
Fleming’s husband, Ron Powers, is a renowned journalist with accolades including an Emmy and Pulitzer Prize. He co-authored “Flags of Our Fathers” and helped Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy write his memoir, “True Compass.”
The trail near which this incident occurred spans approximately 20 miles along the Vermont-New York border and is open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Police continue to maintain a heightened presence in the area, with classes resuming on campus.
Authorities have received numerous tips related to the case and are actively investigating them. Local residents, business owners, and hunters with trail cameras have been asked to review their images for any suspicious activity between 3 and 5 p.m. on the day of the murder. If you have information or recognize the suspect, please contact the police at 802-773-9101 or submit an anonymous tip online at [this website].