The suspicious death of a former Windsor County legislator at her Norwich home in May is now being attributed to “asphyxia by exclusion of oxygen,” according to the office of Vermont’s Chief Medical Examiner.
Noel A. Neely, 82, was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside the family home on Douglas Hill Road about 10 a.m. May 9, officials have said.
When asked on the death certificate how the injury occurred, the medical examiner wrote, “nitrogen gas delivered to face mask and plastic bag over head.”
It was unclear if the case was a homicide, suicide, accident or some other manner of death.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Bundock, Vermont’s chief medical examiner, said the manner of death “could not be determined.” She said the time of death also was unknown.
It is unclear if further investigation will find those answers.
Vermont State Police Detective Capt. Karl Gardner told the Vermont Standard this week that the investigation continues. Police are waiting for laboratory results and chasing other information, according to Gardner, head of the Major Crime Unit.
Noel Neely, who had a master’s degree, served three terms (1977-1982) in the Vermont Legislature, representing the towns of Pomfret, Sharon and Royalton.
She and her husband have lived in Woodstock, Pomfret, and were currently residing in Norwich.
For more on this, please see our July 9 edition of the Vermont Standard.
