Wilmington- The Delaware Division of Forensic Science has officially classified the death of 50-year-old Susan M. Ledyard of Wilmington as a homicide, due to blunt force trauma and drowning, police said Thursday.
At a September 18, 2019 press conference Delaware State Police told reporters that Ledyard’s body was discovered with visible injuries, however, they declined to elaborate as they were awaiting an exact manner and cause of death.
After learning that Detectives were investigating Ledyard’s death as a possible homicide her family held a press conference asking for the publics’ help in solving her death. That press conference can be viewed below.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at approximately 7:39 a.m., Ledyard was discovered deceased in the Brandywine River, in the area of Northeast Blvd., within the City of Wilmington.
After being recovered from the river, Susan was turned over to the Division of Forensic Science to determine the cause and manner of her death.
At approximately 8:54 a.m., on this same date Troopers responded to Walkers Mill Rd. in the area of the Rising Sun Lane Bridge, for the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, they located an unoccupied black, 2016 Honda Civic, which came back registered to Susan Ledyard. This location, where the vehicle was located and where the Rising Sun Lane Bridge spans the Brandywine River, is approximately three miles upriver, from where Susan’s body was recovered.
Through various investigative leads and measures, investigators created a timeline of Susan’s activities on July 23, however, a gap exists between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Detectives have asked that anyone who believes that they may have seen Susan during this four-hour time frame, or who may have any information regarding this case to please come forward.
Susan is described as a white female, 5’4” tall, 130 lbs., with shoulder-length brown hair, and was wearing a purple tank top.
Information may be provided by contacting Detective D. Grassi of the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-365-8441 or Detective A. Lloyd of the Troop 2 Major Crimes Unit at 302-365-8411.
