Homicide of Shiraleen Crawford - Hartford - August 14, 1997

On August 14, 1997, Shiraleen Crawford was found slain in her apartment located at 84 Martin Street in Hartford. The Chief State Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death was "blunt force trauma" and that Ms. Crawford was the victim of a homicide.

Ms. Crawford, age 30, was apparently well-known in her neighborhood, but investigative leads have deteriorated and the case remains unsolved. On June 30, 2008, the Honorable M. Jodi Rell, Governor of Connecticut, authorized a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

The case is being investigated by the Hartford Police Department in conjunction with the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney. Anyone with information about the death of Ms. Crawford should contact Hartford Police Detective Michael Sheldon at (860) 757-4264 or the Cold Case Unit.

Homicide of Janette Couture - East Hartford - October 13, 1973

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the state has increased to $50,000 the reward being offered for information in the unsolved murder of Janette Couture in the victim's East Hartford apartment 36 years ago.

Governor Rell is hoping to raise public awareness about this terrible unsolved murder.

The reward, originally set at $20,000 and now at the $50,000 maximum allowed under the state's reward law, is being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Janette Couture.

Ms. Couture was found deceased in her apartment in East Hartford on October 13, 1973. An autopsy determined that she had been fatally stabbed and her death was ruled a homicide.

“Detectives are hoping the increased reward will prompt someone to come forward with new information,” said Deputy Police Chief John Murphy of the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the East Hartford Police Department.

Detectives recently began reviewing case evidence complied by detectives over the last 36 years. Detectives have also resumed interviewing “persons of interest.” The state’s forensic lab has also begun to examine the evidence collected from the crime scene.

“We’re hopeful the $50,000 reward will spark new interest in the case and finally give the victim’s family closure to this horrific crime,” said East Hartford Police Detective Ellen Stoldt.

The request for the increased reward was formally presented to the Governor by Gail P. Hardy, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford.

Anyone with any information regarding the murder of Janette Couture is encouraged to contact East Hartford Police Detective Ellen Stoldt at 860-291-7524 or the East Hartford Police Department's confidential tip line at 860-289-9134.