Police are conducting a death investigation after they found a 40-year-old male lying in the roadway unresponsive in Harrington
Harrington (DE): Police say they are now conducting a death investigation after a 40-year-old man was found lying on a Harrington roadway unresponsive. He later died at a local hospital and police have more questions then answers.
According to police spokeswoman Melissa Jaffe, shortly after 1:00 Friday morning, “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., Jaffe said.
On Tuesday, State Police identified the victim as John W. Groff, 40, of Lincoln, DE. Groff 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 according to a news release.
Police have now upgraded their investigation from a death investigation to a homicide homicide investigation.
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
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov
