09-22-2011, 04:42 PM
Union Leader
WEST STEWARTSTOWN - After further investigation and receiving toxicology results, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Jennie V. Duval, M.D., has ruled Celina Cass's manner of death to be a homicide.
While Dr. Duval also has determined the cause of death of Celina Cass, that result is not being made public at this juncture, according to the Attorney General's Office.
"The premature public disclosure of Cass's cause of death could have an impact on the integrity of the investigation in a negative manner," authorities said. "The investigation into the facts and circumstances of Celina Cass's murder remains active."
Celina Cass' grandmother told the New Hampshire Union Leader she was notified the 11-year-old girl's death will now officially be classified a homicide.
Celina's body was found in the Connecticut River not far from her West Stewartstown home on Aug. 1, the culmination of a massive weeklong search. Officials have insisted since that Celina's death was "suspicious."
Celina's grandmother, Marcia Laro of Columbia, said the Attorney General's Office called Thursday at about 11 a.m. to tell them Celina's death is now definitely a homicide.
Laro said there was no indication that the state is any closer to making an arrest in Celina's death.
"They did call from the Attorney General's Office and say they do have the autopsy back and it is definitely a homicide," Laro said Thursday afternoon.
WEST STEWARTSTOWN - After further investigation and receiving toxicology results, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Jennie V. Duval, M.D., has ruled Celina Cass's manner of death to be a homicide.
While Dr. Duval also has determined the cause of death of Celina Cass, that result is not being made public at this juncture, according to the Attorney General's Office.
"The premature public disclosure of Cass's cause of death could have an impact on the integrity of the investigation in a negative manner," authorities said. "The investigation into the facts and circumstances of Celina Cass's murder remains active."
Celina Cass' grandmother told the New Hampshire Union Leader she was notified the 11-year-old girl's death will now officially be classified a homicide.
Celina's body was found in the Connecticut River not far from her West Stewartstown home on Aug. 1, the culmination of a massive weeklong search. Officials have insisted since that Celina's death was "suspicious."
Celina's grandmother, Marcia Laro of Columbia, said the Attorney General's Office called Thursday at about 11 a.m. to tell them Celina's death is now definitely a homicide.
Laro said there was no indication that the state is any closer to making an arrest in Celina's death.
"They did call from the Attorney General's Office and say they do have the autopsy back and it is definitely a homicide," Laro said Thursday afternoon.