Man Found Dead Along Harrington Back Road Was Shot, Identity Released

Harrington- The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate the death that has been ruled a homicide, of a male victim after he was found lying unresponsive in the roadway.

The incident occurred on April 24, 2020 at approximately 1:10 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to Killens Pond Road, between Sandbox Road and Bloomfield Road, Harrington, when a passerby reported a subject lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, a 40-year-old male was located unresponsive in the roadway and transported to the Sussex Bayhealth Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The victim, identified as John W. Groff, 40, of Lincoln, DE was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy was performed and the cause and manner of death was determined to be a homicide sustained from two gunshot wounds to the upper body.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective J. King at 302-741-2821.

Original Report

Harrington- The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is currently conducting a death investigation after an individual was found lying unresponsive in the roadway.

The incident occurred on April 24, 2020 at approximately 1:10 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to Killens Pond Road, between Sandbox Road and Bloomfield Road, Harrington, for a report of a subject lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, a 40-year-old male was located unresponsive in the roadway and transported to the Sussex Bayhealth Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. The victim’s identity is being withheld at this time pending the notification of next of kin.

The investigation is in its early stages with further information being released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective J. King at 302-741-2821. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

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