Delaware State Police seeks assistance solving 2019 homicide
WILMINGTON — Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in solving a homicide from 2019 in Wilmington, with a $50,000 reward.
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Delaware State Police seeks assistance solving 2019 homicide
WILMINGTON — Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in solving a homicide from 2019 in Wilmington, with a $50,000 reward.
According to DSP spokeswoman Master Cpl. Heather Pepper, the body of Susan Ledyard, 50, of Wilmington, was recovered from the Brandywine River in the area of Northeast Boulevard on July 21, 2019. The cause of death was determined by the Division of Forensic Science to be blunt force trauma and drowning. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Ms. Ledyard’s black 2016 Honda Civic was located the same day, parked adjacent to the Rising Sun Lane Bridge over the Brandywine River, approximately 3 miles from where the body was recovered. Based on the timeline and the course of the river, authorities do not believe Ms. Ledyard entered the river where the vehicle was parked.
Using video surveillance footage in the area and cellphone records, detectives created a partial timeline of her activities.
Ms. Ledyard was active on her cellphone throughout the night, texting and calling friends until 2:45 a.m., police said. At 3:02, her car pulled out of her driveway, and approximately two minutes later, it was parked on Walkers Mill Road, by the bridge. Based on the time elapsed, detectives believe the Honda drove directly from the house to the location where it was found.
Through examination of data from a Fitbit worn by Ms. Ledyard, detectives confirmed she was alive until approximately 7, Cpl. Pepper said. However, her whereabouts between 3 and 7 are unknown. Detectives also do not know what caused her to leave her residence.
Ms. Ledyard was 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds, with shoulder-length brown hair. She was wearing a purple tank top at the time of her death.
Partnering with Delaware Crime Stoppers, Ms. Ledyard’s family is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Daniel Grassi of the Homicide Unit at 383-0611 or daniel.grassi@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or by visiting here.
