Arrest Made in Homicide of New England Woman, Dismissing ‘Serial Killer’ Rumors

• Police arrested a man on accusations he murdered a woman whose body was found in a suitcase near a cemetery in Groton, Conn.
• Police said the arrest dispels rumors about a serial killer in the area
• Since early March, other women’s bodies have been found in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, provoking fear and rumors on social media

A Connecticut man has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose remains were found in a suitcase near a cemetery — and authorities believe the connection between the suspect and victim dispels rumors that she was murdered by a serial killer.

On Friday, April 25, City of Groton Police Chief David Burton announced the arrest of Donald Coffel, 68, of Groton, earlier that day in connection with the death of Suzanne Wormser, 58, also of Groton.

Coffel is charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and improper disposal of a body, Burton said.

The arrest came after a six-week investigation into the shocking discovery, which fueled rumors on social media of a serial killer preying on women in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

During the press conference, Groton’s mayor Keith Hedrick said, “there have been many rumors and unsubstantiated fear-mongering taking place on social media making the city and surrounding communities seem like an unsafe place to live. I’m here to assure you that the city of Groton is among the safest communities in the Northeast.”

The remains were found in a suitcase on March 19, 2025, just outside the Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, police said.

Burton said Wormser may have been killed at the cemetery.

Detectives began speaking to residents of the area and reached out to other police departments to see if the discovery of these remains were connected to remains found in surrounding areas.

The ensuing investigation revealed that Coffel and Wormser lived together in a house on Allen Street in Groton, where investigators wearing hazmat suits were seen descending on the property.

On April 16, a concerned citizen came forward with more information “that led us to Allen Street,” Burton said.

The house was searched, he said.

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“This resulted in the initial identity of a suspect, who was interviewed at that time as a person of interest,” Burton said. On April 18, “with the initial testing completed, the two crime scenes were connected,” Burton said.

On April 22, Coffel was interviewed again. Another person came forward with information about the alleged murder, Burton said.

On April 23, when Coffel was interviewed a third time, he allegedly confessed to the murder, Burton said.

Police did not discuss a motive for the crime.

Coffel is being held on a $1 million bond. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

Police are still investigating.